#fits when she has to help or that last time she volunteered to help for some reason and she had a breakdown

[bunnyb34r]

Ughhh skin crawly feeling from stress augh

[solarmorrigan]

Silly idea I talked about ages ago with @azure7539arts, inspired by a similar event my workplace hosts every year. Would minors be allowed to participate in such an event? Probably not! But then again, it was the 80s, who can say for sure. Anyway, it's my birthday and I'll post nonsense if I want to <3

-

“I need you to buy me.”

Eddie looks up from his notebook, effectively jarred from his campaign-plotting fugue state by Steve’s declaration.

Steve is standing at the other end of the dining table, staring at him expectantly.

“Y’know, this is the part where someone usually follows up their completely bonkers demand with an explanation,” Eddie says slowly.

“At the charity auction,” Steve clarifies. “I need you to bid on me, and I need you to win.”

Ah, yes, that weird Rent-an-Athlete charity auction the school runs every year; anyone on any Hawkins High sports team could volunteer to be “auctioned” off in order to raise money for said sports team, to spend a day at the beck and call of the highest bidder (within reason, supposedly). It’s generally restricted to students, but occasionally, prominent alumni are invited to participate – and Steve certainly fits the bill, especially after the story the government spun about his heroism in the face of “serial killer” Henry Creel last spring.

“And what, deny all those pretty girls a chance to get at you?” Eddie asks drily (he’d never turned up at previous auctions himself, but you could hardly avoid gossip in a school their size; it had usually been some cheerleader bidding with daddy’s money who won a date– that is, a day with Steve Harrington).

“It wasn’t always a girl who won,” Steve says, crossing his arms over his chest. “One time it was Mrs. Dalton – you know, the lady on the school board who lives on my block? I just spent the day doing yard work for her. She gave me lemonade. That was pretty cool.”

“Right,” Eddie drawls. “And I’m sure she definitely didn’t sit outside and stare at your ass while you were working.”

“She did not– she– I mean she was on the porch, but, like– she wouldn’t have– she’s, like, seventy, Eddie,” Steve splutters, and it’s all Eddie can do not to laugh.

“Older gals have needs, too, Steve,” Eddie says, giving in to a smirk. “So she was checking you out from the porch, huh?”

Steve goes red. “Shut up, that isn’t the point. I’m trying to ask for your help.”

“Right, right, your absolutely reasonable request for me to buy you at market. Why, again?” Eddie asks.

“The kids are planning to bid on me,” Steve says gravely.

Eddie blinks at him. “Okay?” he says, when no further explanation is forthcoming. “You basically do most of what they ask, anyway, so…?”

“Okay, believe it or not, I actually say no to at least half of what they ask me to do. I would literally never get anything done if I gave in to all their demands.” Steve jabs a finger at Eddie, who holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Anyway, this is all Henderson’s fault.”

“It usually is,” Eddie agrees, nodding sagely.

“He decided that he was going to bid on me and then use that day to finally make me play your nerd game with you–” Eddie snorts, and Steve shoots him a look, “but Wheeler doesn’t want me to play, so he said he was going to bid against Dustin and make me do anything but sit in on a session with you guys.”

“So let Wheeler win.” Eddie shrugs.

“No! I can’t let fuckin’ Mike win, he’ll probably make me do something even more ridiculous!” Steve exclaims. "He’ll make me play chauffeur for him and El on a date, or something, and he’ll probably include the stupid hat.”

“Wait, I thought El broke up with him,” Eddie breaks in.

“No, they’re on again,” Steve says absently, shaking his head. “Which is why Max has been in a bad mood lately.”

Eddie bites back the reflexive need to ask “How can you tell?”, going instead with, “I thought she and Sinclair were on again.”

“No, they are. That’s why no one’s been actively murdered,” Steve says.

“How do you keep track of all of this?” Eddie asks, squinting at Steve.

“It’s a natural skill. And we’re getting off track,” Steve says quickly. “Normally, I wouldn’t be that worried, because Dustin regularly blows his savings on weird science gadgets or whatever, but then Lucas and Will started taking sides.”

“This is getting very involved,” Eddie says.

“So you see why I’m stressed!” Steve insists, smacking a hand to his forehead (personally, Eddie thinks Steve is stressed for many other reasons, but he figures pointing that out just now won’t be appreciated). “Lucas is on Dustin’s side, and that kid does odd jobs like nobody’s goddamn business; he actually has shit saved up. And usually I’d have faith in him being more, like, sensible than to spend it all on this, but the little shit is really fucking competitive.”

“Wonder who he got that from?” Eddie mutters.

“Okay, we do remember that I’m not actually biologically related to any of these idiots, right?” Steve snaps.

“Well now we’re just getting into nature versus nurture–”

“Eddie.”

“Right, sorry, continue.”

“Well, Will took Mike’s side–”

“Shocking.”

“Right? But anyway, I don’t know if the kid has much saved up, but between him and Wheeler, they might be able to win.” Steve sighs, looking far more world-weary than Eddie feels the situation really warrants.

“You know you don’t actually have to do what they ask you to, right?” Eddie points out.

Steve rolls his eyes. “If an auction winner complains to the school that the person they bid on didn’t fulfill their end of the bargain, they can get their money back. It’s a whole…” he waves his hand vaguely, “thing. Happened once when I was a sophomore; Deacon McNab. Lost a good chunk of change for the football team, and they vandalized the shit out of his car.”

“Ah, right. Forgot we went to school with literal psychopaths,” Eddie hums.

“So, I just need you to bid on me and win, so I’m not stuck wasting a Saturday on whatever the hell the kids are going to try to make me do. Or not do. Or– whatever,” Steve says.

“Okay, not that I don’t understand your predicament here, but I think you’re forgetting something kind of important, Steve,” Eddie drawls.

Steve’s brows draw together in question. “What?”

“I’m fucking poor.”

“Oh.” Steve shakes his head. “I didn’t mean– no, I will give you the money, you don’t have to spend a dime, man, I just need you to get me out of this.”

“Why not have Buckley do it?” Eddie asks.

“That was Plan A, but she actually has a date that night, and it’s kind of a big deal, so I don’t want her to cancel,” Steve says. “But I assumed you wouldn’t be busy.”

“Wow, rude,” Eddie scoffs, and Steve sighs.

“Fine, sorry, I just really hoped you wouldn’t be busy.” Steve gives him the most lethal set of puppy dog eyes Eddie has ever seen, as if there had been any chance from the beginning that he’d be able to say no. “Please?”

Just for show, Eddie lets out a long sigh, falling against his chair and letting his head flop over the backrest like he’s deflating.

“Fine.”

“Thank you,” Steve groans, sounding so genuinely relieved that Eddie almost feels bad about how quickly his thoughts dip into the realms of the inappropriate. “Oh my god, I owe you.”

Eddie glances back up at Steve, tongue darting out to wet his lips almost unconsciously. “You know I’m not as easy to appease as a couple of fifteen-year-olds, right?”

Steve’s eyes drop for just a second—maybe down to Eddie’s lips, maybe not; who can say?—before he looks back up, cocking an eyebrow at Eddie. “I think I can handle it.”

Slowly, Eddie grins. “We’ll see.”

[jishyucks]

Crayon Confessions – njm

‣ pairing: na jaemin x reader

‣ genre: fluff, f2l/co'workers'-to-lovers

‣ wc: 2.2k

‣ summary: You have two weaknesses—Gojo and men with kids… and you guess, Jaemin. That would make it three, but he falls under that second category; alternatively, in which you weren’t really planning on developing feelings for Na Jaemin but seeing him work with kids all the time at the local community centre is making it damn hard not to.

‣ warnings: genuinely don't think there's anything, low-key rushed ending

‣ an: this is honestly not my best but FINALLY MY LAST PART OF THE SERIES IM CELEBRATING YIPEEEEEE—yes i know this is set in december and its now may but it's bc this was supposed to be posted during the holidays 😭 my dumbass overestimated my capabilities and school got in the way but all that matters is that i actually finished a 12 part series?? patting myself on the back,, ANYWAYS to those who actually followed my series I thank you so much. PLS ENJOY THIS! <33

Series Masterlist

You have two weaknesses—Gojo and men with kids. And within the past few months, Na Jaemin has been fighting his way to the top of that list despite (technically) fitting under that second category. 

The more time you spent with him, the more you were able to make out that Jaemin obviously wanted to make a name for himself rather than being lumped into a handful of men—and you didn’t like it.

You’ve only known the guy just shy of six months, having chosen to volunteer at the community centre since July, and he’s managed to shimmy his way into your life like it was his purpose. And it makes you angry because he was perfect—perhaps as perfect as the dozens of fictional men you’ve crushed on.

Only Jaemin wasn’t fictional. 

In fact, he was sitting two tables away from you, helping the kids spell out the words they needed to include in the holiday greetings cards. 

“You’re staring again.” 

Giselle presses her lips into a tight line to keep her laugh from bursting out. 

Your eyes widened, trying to recollect yourself when you realized that you were, in fact, staring at Jaemin, “Was I being obvious?” 

Giselle hums, tilting her head to muster up an answer, “Mm… a little?”

“Not a little. A lot.” 

You and Giselle turn to Lily, one of the kids you’ve both grown close to over the past few months. You raise a brow at her, “Aren’t you supposed to be making these cards?” 

Lily snickers and goes back to her given task of colouring a poorly printed Santa Claus. You turn back to Giselle, who’s already offering an apologetic look because kids are blunt. 

“Okay, you were more than a little bit obvious but that boy was too oblivious to notice,” she shrugs, “I think, at least.” Giselle taps the pile of finished cards against the table to line them all up before placing them again at the centre of the table.

You groan, tempted to bang your head against the shared table in front of you. “Please tell me you’re joking.” 

“I’m not,” Giselle snorts, “But I really don’t think he saw you. He’s too busy with the kids.” She nods her head in Jaemin’s direction and your eyes follow without a second thought.

The sight was one you’ve seen countless times yet it still makes you swoon every time you lay eyes on the scene. Jaemin’s perfect smile is etched on his face as he leans over one of the youngest kids, fixing the way the boy is holding the marker. The boy lets out a little giggle, reciprocating the smile on the elder’s face.

“Look away before you lose yourself again,” Giselle teases, using her index finger to turn your face away from Jaemin’s direction. Giselle immediately notices the way a look of sheepishness replaces your charmed expression. She pats your shoulder, almost coming in the form of a push, “I bet if you asked him out he would say yes.”

“I’ll only ask him out if I’m sure he likes me back,” you whisper. “I have literal receipts of clues that he does like you back,” Giselle threatens to pull her phone out despite your organizer discouraging the use of any devices during the shifts. 

You shake your head, head mentally raking through all the times you Jaemin had made you feel like sinking into the hard cold cement. “Those were just times I was overthinking everything… I’m sure he’s just naturally nice.”

“Well, he is naturally nice,” Giselle nods, “But you can’t tell me that all the things he’s done were done solely to be nice.” Giselle leans back on her chair and narrows her eyes at you, “He’s too old to be on Santa’s list anyway.” 

“I don’t consider holding the door open for me and bringing me hot chocolate that one time as clues.” 

One of the other little girls pushes an unfinished piece of paper and the small baby safety scissors your way. By reflex, you pick it up from where she started having trouble, snipping away the excess paper before handing it back for her to glue onto construction paper. 

“How about that one time he walked you home?”

“He said he was going to his grandma’s—” you counter.

“Could’ve been an excuse,” Giselle shrugs, “Real reason could be he wanted to spend time with you without having to ask for it.” 

“I was wrong. I think you’re the delusional one here,” you narrow your eyes and tap your feet against the floor underneath you. Jaemin was Jaemin. Soon after meeting him, you caught on to the fact that he was naturally playful, almost coming off as a flirt to everyone he encountered. 

“I’m not being delusional,” Giselle rolls her eyes and leans in closer to you so that whatever comes out of her mouth next can’t be heard by anyone around you, “Do you want me to list everything that’s happened between him and you over the past few months? ‘Cause you’re asking for it.”

You shake your head, already knowing which ones she’d list. Giselle already told you that if she could, she’d make a PowerPoint presentation of Top 10 Jaemin and Y/N Moments for fun, but you were lucky that she had been swamped in both school and volunteer work to even start it. 

“You’re acting like I’m not the one who’s told you these things,” you blink, “And like I said, any of them could be a product of delusion.” 

Giselle peeks over at you through the corners of her eyes and smirks, “Oh, but there are ones that you haven’t seen that I have…”

And just like that, Giselle has all of your attention. It’s like she’s grasping it with the tips of her fingers, playing with it to tease you. 

“Like?” You gesture for her to begin, not wanting to waste a single passing second.

Another kid at the table holds up her card for Giselle to see, “Miss Giselle, how does it look?” 

Giselle’s eyes light up and she smiles, “I love how you coloured the tree, Nari! Do you need help cutting it out?” 

Nari shakes her head, “I’ll try myself first.”

Giselle nods, “Sounds good to me!” Then once she’s sure that Nari is back and busy with the paper tree, she turns back to you, “Do you want it in chronological order?”

Your brows furrow, “It doesn’t matter to me.”

She hums and begins, “You know how you came when me and Jaemin have already been here for a little while?” 

You nod.

“Well, Jaemin, every single day since we both started, kept his things in that one corner locker. He told me once he hated the other lockers with a passion but never really told me why. It was actually hilarious because there was one shift when Jisung came earlier than he did and he snatched it before Jaemin and Jaemin told him off,” Giselle snorted, recalling the memory, “It was stupid. I remember telling Jaemin to let the boy be, but he was… territorial? I don’t know how to word it.” 

“Where are you going with this?” you say impatiently.

“I’m getting there,” she huffs, “Anyway, when you came, you were stuck with that one locker at the top, right?”

You nod again.

“I remember you kept complaining to me about hating the locker—”

“It was too high for me to even reach the hook!” You say.

“I know, but that’s beside the point,” Giselle laughs, “My point is the very next day, Jaemin came early for the shift and instead of taking that corner locker, he claimed that top locker despite his usual one being free. It’s been that way ever since. Now you always take that corner one.”

“And?”

“What do you mean ‘And?’” Giselle’s jaw drops, “Don’t you see? He was territorial over a damn locker and when you came along, he went out of his way to move lockers just because he saw you were struggling with the top one.” “He’s just being ni—”

“Do I need to remind you that Ningning, who’s shorter than you, literally complained about the same thing and he didn’t do shi—” Giselle catches herself from swearing, remembering the setting, “—Anything to help her?”

You don’t reply and Giselle takes this as a sign to continue, “Then, there have been those days you come to a shift tired because you’ve been awake since dawn because of your eight AMs, right?” You don’t do anything but blink and Giselle continues, “I’ve seen that man go out of his way to take up some of your harder tasks just so your shift is easier and you can relax. But when I come to the shifts tired and you’re not there and he is, he just laughs in my face!” 

You laugh because it just sounds like Giselle’s taking this as an opportunity to rant to you about her playful rivalry with Jaemin. 

“Don’t laugh! Can’t you see where I’m going with my examples?” she whines, “I know you’re smart, Y/N!”

You shake your head, “I need you to explain it more bluntly, Gi.” 

Giselle facepalms, a sigh flying out of her lips, “What I’m saying is that Jaemin pays attention to you more than you think… he treats you a hundred times better than any of us but, obviously, you’re too blind to see it because you’re still hung up on the idea that he’s just ‘being nice’.”

You swallow a pool of spit you didn’t even know was sitting in your mouth and you process your friend’s explanation. The idea of the possibility of Jaemin actually liking you back was something you thought about once in a while, but it was usually in your bed right before you went to sleep giggling. Never did these thoughts appear in broad daylight, much less with Jaemin sitting just yards away.

The thought tickles your stomach and you wanna say something to Giselle, though you’re unsure what. And before you could bring yourself to open your mouth, you felt a light tap against your shoulder.

“Miss Y/N?” 

You’re punted out of your thoughts when one of the little boys from Jaemin’s table appears to your left, entering your line of sight.

“Hi, Junnie! What’s up?” you bend down slightly at the waist, eyeing the card and the crayon he’s holding in his hand. 

He makes no effort to say anything else. Instead, he holds out the two items in his small hands, waiting for you to take them. When you gently do, he takes a step back, holding his arms behind his back to watch you read the card.

The front of the card was just a normal card, the greeting ‘Happy Holidays’ written on the front in a child’s handwriting in red and green crayon. Underneath the words was a Christmas tree, glued on there by, who you assumed was, Junnie. 

Then, when you open it, your heart skips a beat and a half. 

In crayon, in messy yet very cute writing you read: 

Are you a Christmas tree? 

Because I'm really pining fir you!

Dinner date?

“It’s from Mister Jaemin,” Junnie says from behind the card. He’s teetering on the balls of his feet, cheeks being pushed up by his smile.

Your heart is now pounding against your chest because it is all playing out perfectly, like how it would in a movie. With Giselle telling you things you’ve never noticed before, to you denying, and now Junnie was just sent by Jaemin to send you this cute little letter to confess to you—you’re not sure how to react.

“Oh, really?” you question.

“Really?” Giselle gasps from next to you. 

Your eyes immediately dart across the room and to the mentioned boy, who’s awfully pretending to busy himself with the scraps of paper littering the table.

“What’s your answer?” Junnie questions.

Embarrassingly, you don’t even hesitate to scribble down your answer underneath the question. Handing it back to Junnie, you wave for him to come closer and you bring your mouth up to his ear, “Can you help me play a small trick on Mister Jaemin?” 

Junnie nods, a mischievous smile appearing almost instantly on his face.

“When you go over there to give him this, I want you to pretend to be sad, okay? Make him think it’s not a yes.” 

Junnie struggles to contain his smile before nodding once more, then turns to make his way back to Jaemin.

You follow the young boy with your eyes, watching as he does his very best to maintain a poker face. You watch as Jaemin turns to him, a look of confusion surfacing his face when he sees that Junnie is not smiling like he had anticipated and you can’t help but snicker.

The moment Junnie’s within hearing vicinity, Jaemin says something to him that you obviously couldn’t hear. Junnie glances back at you and then reveals your answer to Jaemin and you know he’s done it the second Jaemin’s face lights up. 

You chuckle as Jaemin looks up at you, his face breaking into a wide smile. He waves at you shyly, like a bashful kid, before silently mouthing, "Tomorrow?"

You nod, warmth spreading across your cheeks. Giselle makes a comment over your shoulder but you don’t quite catch it, the cells in your body buzzing in excitement. 

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

taglist: @tytrackfebreze @lovesuhng @hoonieji @niinjo @dinonuguaegi @reignessance

an: 12/12!! This was poorly proofread so I'm sorry if there are any grammatical errors or mistakes but I wanted to finish this so I can work on other wips!! I HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING THIS,, THANK YOU!

[roosterforme]

The Intern Part 2 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Five minutes into an interview with you, and Bradley knew he was in trouble. You were attractive, funny and smart, and now the summer was stretching out before him like an obstacle course he would have to navigate carefully. At least a visit from an old friend should be enough to help him work through his frustrations.

Warnings: Language, mentions of smut and masturbation (eventually 18+)

Length: 4200 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

The Intern masterlist. Check out my masterlist for more. Banner by @mak-32

When Bradley got to the Avio headquarters the following morning, he rode the elevator up to his office. He'd already eaten breakfast, gone for a long run and taken a shower, and he was still one of the first ones here. Except for Judy. He smiled when her desk came into view as he turned toward his office door. She was sweet, and it scared him a little bit how much she reminded him of his mom. She was a widow with one son in college, and Bradley would be lost without her. 

"Morning," she said, handing him his mail as he walked past without her even looking up at him. "You have a very busy day, and I already turned on your coffee maker."

He really needed to give her another raise. "Thanks, Judy. Hey, what time is that interview I have?" he asked, flipping through the stack of envelopes in his hand. 

Now she looked up from her computer and met his eyes. "Nine o'clock. And it's Ted's daughter."

"I know," he replied with a small smile. 

"Do you really think she would be a good fit? You'll be working on the yacht for weeks, and all she has is a graduate degree and a daddy with a bankroll." She handed him your résumé with a concerned look.

He shrugged as he skimmed the page again. "She has some related work experience. She volunteered to run the finances for a handful of Philadelphia based charities every year. Her references include the Philadelphia deputy mayor. But you're right, she's pretty green. I'll take this with me," he said as he held the résumé up and headed for his door. "Let me know when she arrives."

"Will do," Judy muttered. 

Bradley made himself another cup of coffee before he settled into his seat. His office had a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean in the distance along with the Naval base at North Island where he'd spent several years working. Sometimes he missed it, other times he didn't. Flying was in his blood, but after five air-to-air kills, it seemed like he'd given up enough of his soul to the Navy. Now he was helping oversee the design of software components that would help keep aviators safer in the air. 

He turned his gaze from the view outside back to your resume. Your name at the top made him smile, and the more he read about you, the more he liked. None of the other people begging him for a job in his department had the same level of academic chops or philanthropic endeavors you did. And he couldn't imagine you begging for a single damn thing, ever. He tapped his keyboard, wondering what your LinkedIn profile looked like. 

Well. Your photo was gorgeous. It was professional looking without a doubt, but he knew better now that the way your smile tilted a little higher on one side meant you were about to deliver a line that would make him laugh. He wondered if you'd had the photographer smiling nonstop, too. 

Bradley paused with his fingers on his keyboard, but he couldn't help it. He typed your full name into the search bar and sorted it by images. There were more headshots of you from academic articles and a few newspapers, but when he scrolled he almost spit his coffee out. There was one of you wearing that same bikini you had on yesterday. When he clicked it for more, it took him to your private instagram page. 

He stared at that tiny thumbnail before he closed his eyes. Really, the way you looked wasn't why he asked you to come here today, and he'd spent a good portion of last evening trying to focus on anything other than how it felt to have your body pressed against his while he held you.

"Fuck," he grunted. He really needed to get laid. He made another mental note next to the one about Judy's raise. He would call one of his friends with benefits and get that taken care of, because if you agreed to join him for a couple months on the company yacht, he'd probably see that bikini again and again. And there was no way he could touch Ted's daughter. Not like that. Even if he wanted to.

And that thought brought him back to the main reason you would be here in the next few minutes. What kind of information could he get out of you? Bradley noticed that the profit and loss sheets from several departments didn't seem to add up. That had been the case for two quarters in a row. When he mentioned it to one of the harried looking accountants one floor down, he told Bradley they wouldn't have time to run an unnecessary audit before next quarter started. 

Someone in this company was doing something shady, and Bradley wanted to know who it was and why. He'd gone over those numbers for days, double checking his math. He knew he wasn't crazy, but he didn't know who he could safely take this information to, especially when the specs on the software they were creating was considered top secret. 

"Your interview is here," Judy's voice suddenly announced through his intercom.

Bradley quickly closed out of the photo of you in a bathing suit that was still on his screen and slammed his laptop shut. "Send her in."

A few seconds later, Judy was holding the door open for you, and you thanked her as you strolled in like you owned the company. Your hair was styled in some sort of clip, and you were wearing a perfectly tailored black suit. Bradley shook his head; it was rich that you called him out for his proclivity for Armani when yours was probably worth three times as much. His gaze drifted down your legs. Your black and white heels were the kinds of things he would love to have thrown over his shoulders in bed, and the bit of white silk peeking out above your jacket buttons reminded him of your skimpy pajamas. 

Inviting you here was a terrible idea. 

You smirked as you ran your right index finger along the charm from Tiffany's that hung from your necklace, and then you reached out to shake his hand over his desk. "Mr. Bradshaw. So lovely to see you again today." Your voice was playful, and Bradley gestured for you to take a seat while he tried his best to gather his thoughts. 

"I was a little afraid you'd show up in your bathing suit," he said, and you nodded as you crossed your legs and set your leather portfolio on your lap. 

"I can certainly understand the cause for that concern," you replied, not missing a beat. "However, I promise you'll see nothing but Armani suits from here on out if I end up coming to the office every day. Now what would you have me do for you all summer? Fetch your coffee? Give you the abridged version of the Wall Street Journal? Sit in on pointless meetings in the conference room across the hallway?"

"That's just it," he said, tilting his head to the side and taking in your neutral expression. He hardly knew what to do with the fact that you made him feel warm and slightly uncomfortable when you were being sassy. "We wouldn't be here at all. And actually, you could wear your bathing suit and swim half the time for all I cared."

Your eyes lit up immediately as you leaned closer to his desk. "This sounds like a trap, but please, carry on. Tell me more."

He chuckled as he moved a little closer to you as well. "I'm being tasked with taking a few weeks to a couple months on the company yacht in the Mediterranean. I have the technical knowledge as well as the access to arrange meetings with members of Avio's European sales team to close some deals. This is all top secret information, but since you've got the right connections, I'll go ahead and tell you that the US government has given us the greenlight to sell our software to a select list of countries."

You licked your lips, and Bradley could barely focus as you said, "So you'll be the one calling all the shots. And you need to have access to some of these countries to schedule meetings and dinners and cocktail parties. You'll be working from the yacht in much the same capacity you are currently working from your office, still expected to head the research department here. But you'll have the added workload of trying to answer questions and sell the software in Europe? Did I miss anything?"

Bradley's eyes went a little wide as he chuckled. "No. Not really."

You were smiling now. "This sounds like half work and half sorority party, and let me tell you, I am more than capable of making both of those things go as smoothly for you as possible."

"Yeah," he said, his voice a little raspy now. "But you'll have to put up with me. And some of these clients have been known to be a little difficult in... a variety of different ways." Bradley's mind drifted to last summer when he'd been on the yacht for a week as well as the summer before that. The wealthier a man becomes, the more he seems to think he could have whatever he wants, and Bradley had seen some wild shit. "But I'll do my best to keep you comfortable and safe. The workload will be intense, to say the least. But it'll all be happening on a one hundred and thirty foot superyacht." 

You eyed him carefully. "This sounds like it was custom made for me, so you either want me or you don't, Mr. Bradshaw." 

Bradley smiled, and his gaze followed your hand as you touched that pretty charm again. "Oh... I want you plenty. Something tells me yachts and Mediterranean vacations are something you simply grew up with. I'm just trying to sell myself now."

The way you laughed reminded him once again of that night in December when you asked him if he wanted to share a bottle of wine with you. "You're very persuasive, Mr. Bradshaw. I can practically smell the sunblock and taste the pasta from here." You bit your lip and considered him, and it felt to Bradley like you could see every flaw and indiscretion inside of him. "Where did you go to school anyway? Yale? Brown? No wait... you look like a Princeton boy to me."

He shook his head as he pointed to his college diploma on the wall. "I went to a state school." 

You gasped, and your eyes went wide as you muttered, "Jesus," while you read it. "Political science? At the University of Virginia? Oh... you should be lying to people. I mean, at least say you went to Dartmouth."

Bradley tried and failed to hold in his laughter, because you truly looked scandalized by this turn of events. "Aww, come on, Ivy League. It's not so bad."

You sputtered with laughter, too. "Did you just call me Ivy League?"

"I sure did," he told you, still laughing. "It's about ten times nicer than what I was going to say."

Your soft gasp as your eyes positively lit up made Bradley's heart beat a little faster. "Well, what were you going to say?" you asked before biting your lip. 

Shit. You were trouble, and you knew it. "Never mind. My lips are sealed. Can't say that to Ted's daughter."

You sighed and rolled your eyes. "You're no fun right now, but I'm sure as soon as I get you loosened up in some Armani swim trunks on the yacht, you'll be an absolute pleasure for me to deal with."

The way Bradley's cock was twitching should have been warning enough. He was about to get in over his head. But all he could say was, "Does that mean you want the internship?"

Your smile tilted up a little higher on the one side. "Oh, absolutely." Then you stood before him looking like the cat who got the cream, and Bradley had to hope for the best as he stood as well. He could mark this as the first time he'd ever become slightly aroused during an interview, a sign that he desperately needed to get laid. 

He shook your hand and said, "We leave in a few days. Judy will help you get your visas in order. Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect, Mr. Bradshaw." 

The way you here still holding his hand and calling him Mr. Bradshaw left his voice barely louder than a rasp. "Judy and I will be in touch."

You turned and shot him a smile over your shoulder as you headed for his office door, and Bradley dropped back down in his chair. He'd call Callie about getting together to hook up before he left for Europe, but he had another more important call to make first. He cleared his throat as he opened his contacts and then put his phone on speaker. He was greeted with a familiar voice filled with laughter.

"Rooster! When are you going to get that yacht warmed up for me?"

Bradley just shook his head and said, "Hangman. You're not going to believe who my summer intern is."

------------------------------

You were floating on a raft in the pool wearing your second favorite bathing suit when you were greeted by the sound of your father's voice. "I sincerely hope you know what you're doing by wasting your time right now."

"Daddy," you greeted with a smile. "My day was a complete and utter success."

He checked his watch as he said, "Please, elaborate."

You had the trump card, but you knew all too well what it would be like if you didn't. Instead of lecturing you like you could tell he wanted to, he smiled when you said, "I have a job."

"Where?" 

"Avio."

He nodded in appreciation as he said, "I am actually impressed right now. You managed to secure an internship at the company I've spent decades with, and you did so without me knowing anything about it. Which department?"

"Research and development," you replied smoothly.

His eyes went wider. "With Bradley Bradshaw?"

Your tummy swooped, and you sucked in a breath at the mere mention of his name. Spending weeks working with him and entertaining guests with him was going to be... well, something. "Yes. With Bradley Bradshaw."

"Sweetheart," your father said. "He had a career in the Navy."

"Yes. He was an aviator," you recalled from his Avio bio.

"That means he's not going to put up with any nonsense. You don't make him repeat himself, and you don't give him attitude. I'll know immediately if he's displeased with you, I'm sure."

Bradley didn't seem stuffy. He'd already encouraged you to pack your bathing suits. Hell, you were determined to get him to join you in some fun. "Well maybe not immediately as he and I will be on the Avio yacht in the Mediterranean."

Your father stared at you, speechless. Finally he said, "I really don't know how you managed to get exactly what you wanted, but I applaud you, Sweetheart. Well done. I know it sounds fun, but you'll be kept very busy. I hope you know what you're in for."

When he finally wandered back inside after you promised to join him for dinner, you soaked up the last few rays of the dying sunlight. Then you made a mental list of everything you needed to spend the next few days packing as you brushed up on your French and Italian.  "J'adore mon travail. Amo il mio lavoro. I love my job."

--------------------------

Bradley was still chuckling as he got off the phone with Ted a few days later. Your father tried to warn him that you could be a bit of a handful. Like Bradley wasn't fully aware of that fact. As if he hadn't known since December. He could practically hear your disdain for his alma mater and your delight in international travel from his condo.

He was stacking his suits up in his extra bedroom along with several pairs of shoes, and he shook his head as he looked down at his swim trunks in his hands. They actually were all Armani, and you'd have a field day when you realized it. Or perhaps skinny dipping would become a thing?

Fuck. He needed to stop thinking about you like that. Callie Bassett was on her way over, so that should help alleviate some of this tension. He'd been friends with Halo for over a decade, and she had slowly and naturally turned into a friend with benefits over time. She was still in the Navy, and she was discreet. It was easier than having a girlfriend. It was all he had time for. 

As he organized his suits, he remembered you told him he looked like a Princeton boy. He could just picture you with a parade of preppy assholes following you around, and he wondered if you ever slummed it with anyone like him before. It made him want to pack some of his casual clothes including his Virgina baseball cap and his worn out golf shorts. So he did. 

Then his doorbell buzzed, and he went to let Callie in. He needed this taken care of right now. She smelled good, and she looked cute. She always did. And she wore something a little skimpy just for him. The kiss on his cheek in greeting quickly turned to her lips brushing his as she said, "I haven't seen you in weeks."

"Been busy," he replied, taking her by the hand and heading for his bedroom. "And I'm leaving for Portugal on Saturday."

"How long?" she asked, pouting a little bit as Bradley reached for the hem of her dress and eased it up and over her head in one fluid motion. 

"Couple months," he whispered, taking in her soft, naked body with his gaze. 

"Months?" she whined as he wrapped his hands around her waist and smirked at her. 

"Don't even act like we are anything close to exclusive, Cal. Now... how do you want it?"

She licked her lips and looked up at him with those familiar dark eyes just as his phone rang in his pocket. He didn't hesitate or check the number; he never did. "Bradshaw."

"Hey, State School. I have a few questions for you."

Bradley froze with your voice in his ear and Callie's fingers on his zipper. He grunted softly as she eased it down and touched him. He just knew if he closed his eyes and listened to your voice, he'd probably finish in her hand within two minutes. 

"Ivy League," he rasped, taking a step back away from Halo who was now standing before him completely naked and rolling her eyes.

"Are you busy?" you asked, and Bradley looked Halo in the eyes without remorse as he answered you.

"No. I'm not busy. I can talk." He held up one finger and zipped himself up as he left his bedroom in favor of his office. "As long as you tell me how you got this number."

You laughed as he sank down into his desk chair. "You think it's exclusive or something? Judy gave it to me. And it's probably listed on the company website."

Brat. He narrowed his eyes, adding a note to his mental list to make sure it was not listed on the company website. "What can I help you with?"

"Well, I'm packing and hoping for a little input from you."

"On Thursday night at nine?" he asked. "And don't you have a butler to help you with that?"

"Like you have anything else going on?"

Bradley thought about Callie waiting in his bedroom, but instead of ushering this call along, he asked, "What did you pack so far?"

You sighed. "Sixteen bathing suits, piles of lingerie, and sunglasses. And I'm only kind of kidding."

Fighting the urge to ask for more details, he said, "Unfortunately I can't let you wear any of that in front of potential clients. So throw in some suits and dresses."

"Some suits and dresses? You'll need to be a little bit more specific, Sir." 

Sir.

That one word was echoing through his mind along with your bratty tone, and he had to take a deep breath. "Why don't you bring the suit you wore when I interviewed you? That looked good. And so did the dress you wore to your father's holiday party. The dark green one."

There was a pause before you said, "You remember what I wore to the party?"

"Yeah," he grunted, rubbing his hand over his face in frustration. "It looked nice. Pack some cocktail dresses, too."

"How many should I pack?"

"How many do you have?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

Bradley laughed. "I'm sure you know better than I do what you should wear."

You scoffed. "You're acting like you've never spent a summer on the Avio yacht before."

"I haven't," he replied easily. "Just a few days here and there. I'm sure I'll be learning things from you."

"Then you'll be learning from the best."

He bit back a groan as he said, "That's what I'm counting on. That's why I hired you."

"I won't let you down," you promised, and Bradley believed you. "I'll see you at the airport on Saturday morning. Don't forget your swim trunks."

You ended the call before he could say another word, and now he was convinced you had called him simply because you could. If he was frustrated before, it was nothing compared to the way he felt now. Spending weeks on end with Ted's daughter was supposed to help him get to the bottom of the messy business with Avio, not cause other issues to arise. 

He unzipped his pants, intent on touching himself,  before jolting to his feet. "Shit," he muttered as he left his office and went back to his bedroom. "Cal?" he called out. "Sorry. It was a work call." But he was completely alone. He laughed as his phone vibrated in his hand with a text from her.

Have a great time in Europe. Don't bother calling me when you get back.

Bradley was sure he'd hear about this from his old friend Natasha when Callie bitched about him at work. But it didn't really matter. After she had a few weeks to cool off, she'd come back when he needed her again. For now, he'd take matters into his own hands and hope that would be enough.

----------------------

Your father insisted upon seeing you off on Saturday morning which gave Bradley a few minutes alone with him. He was listening to Ted as he watched you struggle with your seven pieces of Dior luggage on the tarmac next to the chartered airplane. 

"Bradley, you don't know what you've gotten yourself into," your father told him with a laugh. "She's tenacious though. And whip smart. Make sure you challenge her, because she will certainly challenge you."

Now Bradley laughed as he shook Ted's hand. "I'll do my best."

"If she gets to be too much, just leave her in one of the marinas with her passport."

He would never do that to you. He doubted it would ever come to that. In fact, he was already impressed by the way you took care of things for yourself. Sure, you looked like you belonged in an ad for designer gym clothes with your leggings and soft hoodie zipped over your sports bra. But you were also taking your luggage from the back of the black Mercedes-Benz G-Class yourself.

"I can assure you that she and I will be just fine, Sir."

"What have I told you about calling me Ted?" Bradley received a friendly cuff on the shoulder before shaking his hand and turning toward you. 

He picked up the last two pieces of your luggage at the same time and carried them to the cargo hold while you trailed after him. "I don't need help," you told him as he stowed them away. Then you added, "You look weird out of your Armani."

"I look weird?" he asked with a laugh as he glanced down at his chinos and Oxford shirt.

"A good kind of weird. Like when you wore that Fair Isle sweater last year."

Bradley examined your pretty face, and you didn't look away. He remembered the dress you wore to Ted's holiday party, and you remembered his sweater. Right now he was wishing he'd joined you for that bottle of French wine that night, something he'd remedy on the yacht. A flood of bad decisions just waiting to happen filled his mind as he said, "Go say goodbye to your father. It's almost time to go."

"Yes, Sir," you told him with your chin held high and a smirk gracing your lips. Bradley stood at the bottom of the stairs while you flung your arms around Ted and kissed him on the cheek. Then you came strolling his way once again, and he followed you closely up the stairs as you turned back and softly said, "I'm all yours."

--------------------------

Ivy League spells trouble for Bradley, but at least he knows it. And he didn't get an ounce of relief before getting on that plane. What could possibly go wrong? Thanks @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 3

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[dairy-farmer]

So like, Tim has definitely helped Jason by being arm candy to some Gotham underground event, right?

Like, gang leaders and crime lords would have to meet up sometimes to negotiate and prevent all out wars. Black market weapons deals, auctions, gambling dens. There’s places where the leaders of crime would meet and socialize. And you can’t not have a date to some of these. It’s a status thing, having a pretty young thing hanging off your arm.

And Jason’s a good guy and wouldn’t make one of his minions be subjected to all the objectifying talk that would no doubt be flying around. And he would not sexually harass his employees and his arm candy would have to be touched and kissed to make it look real.

Cass can’t do it- one, shes too scary and isn’t great at looking meek and harmless, and doesn’t like to lie. Jason and Cass both love it when he brings her places where he needs a scary hot bodyguard, cause someone always tries to fuck around, underestimating her, but playing arm candy? No.

Steph is out after the second time she broke character and broke a creep’s nose for talking about her chest. It was in metropolis, thankfully, so it was more funny than anything, but Jason can’t risk it at other events. He loves Steph, but that woman has no chill.

Dick can do it in a pinch- he’s not too bulky to be able to look harmless, but Jason doesn’t love doing it unless it’s an emergency. He knows that while Dick doesn’t mind people appreciating his body, some of the comments about Nightwing’s ass veer towards too objectifying for him sometimes.

Kori is too obviously alien and Roy doesn’t like being around drugs. Biz is out for obvious reasons, and Artemis is too intimidating. Damian’s a baby and like hell could Bruce be his arm candy. Ew.

Tim though.

Tim can do it. Tim is is good at it. He’s small and cute and fits perfectly under Jason’s arms or on his lap. He’s like a chameleon and can look like as many different people as he needs to. He’s freaky great at compartmentalizing and sliding into characters, so lewd comments and offers just slide off, or are met with a grin and a flirt. He’s observant and can watch Jason’s back, even when sitting on Hood’s lap with a hand running up and down his thighs.

Sometimes though, to avoid suspicion, things go a little far. More than once, Hood has had Tim panting and squirming on his lap, Hood idly fingering him while talking about a weapons deal or cocaine shipments. Tim’s been on his knees tucked tight between Hood’s legs, so they could get details about a human trafficking ring. He’s even been splayed out naked on a table, getting fucked in front of strangers.

Tim’s not usually as good at paying attention to his surroundings when those things happen, but that’s alright. Jason keeps them both safe.

Luckily, Hood has a reputation of being possessive of his things, and Tim’s various personas always count as Hood’s thing, so he doesn’t need to be shared.

If sometimes Jason gets a little…handsier with Tim than strictly required for that op without talking about it beforehand, well, that’s his business. And if Tim keeps agreeing to be Hood’s arm candy even though the last 10 events found Hood’s fingers, cock, or both, getting pressed inside Tim even though all he actually needed to do to blend in was to be there looking pretty, that’s his business too.

😍😍😍 this is so good!!!! the way that whenever jason needs a partner for crime lord meanings he doesn't even ask for volunteers anymore he straight up just goes to tim now because yeah they work well together but also because jason is crossing his fingers that he and tim will get to fuck again. sure the whole mission is nerve wracking because of the incredibly high stakes and risk of getting set up or shot at but also- jason might get his dick sucked or get to finger fuck tim's tight little cunt. and for one whole night he'll have a lap full of tim drake grinding and rubbing against him while kissing his neck- it's a pretty good trade off all things considered

[honeyoru]

popstar! reader x bakugou fic teaser

masterlist | part one coming soon!

“Lower.” Mina squints at the brightly colored banner that’s hanging unevenly across the expansive width of Bakugou’s living room. She and the rest of the gang on decorating duty were nearly done with their task to transform the blonde’s home, save for the obnoxiously large banner that stretched out “WELCOME HOME” in a flurry of colors.

Denki adjusts himself on the stool he’s precariously wobbling on, glancing quickly to Sero on the other side of the room and then back to the girl. “Which side?”

“Um,” she blinks. “Yours?”

“Is that a question or are you telling us?” the black-haired man snaps incredulously, his calves straining from the twenty minutes they’ve spent holding the strings of the banner up for Mina. I should’ve covered Shouji’s patrol, he thinks, regretting ever volunteering to decorate.  

“Um.” She winces. “Telling you?” 

Twin groans echo in front of her, and with nearly identical movements the boys slap the taped strings onto the wall, ignoring Mina’s cries that it was not in fact, even. 

“No one’s even gonna notice!” Sero jumps down, narrowly avoiding one of the hundreds of balloons scattered on the ground. 

���Yeah,” Jiro agrees, standing up from where she had been fiddling with the music setup for later. “This place looks great.” 

“She’s not wrong,” Denki says, looking around. “This would get hella views on Pinterest.”

“S’not like she’s gonna give a shit anyways,” Sero snorts. “She’s gonna throw a fit over the size of the place, not the decorations.”

“You know that girl would be thrilled to get together at a FamilyMart,” Mina rolls her eyes. “It’s not her that’ll care how perfect it looks. We’ll be lucky if Bakugou doesn’t set us on fire for the banner.”

“Bakubro should’ve been here then,” the blonde responds. “Kiri won’t care, and it's his own damn sister. He said she just landed, btw.” He holds up his phone where the group chat is open. “And since we're all done, we’re free to go.”

Jiro snickers. “Don’t abbreviate your words, loser. Besides, Blasty's got reason to be on edge. It’s been what? Two years?”

“Just about,” Sero calls behind him as he leads the group outside. “Good thing we’re done, gives me time to shower and change at least,” he winks at the other man. “Gotta look good for my reunion with our pop star.” 

“Like you’ve got a chance with her.” Mina can’t help but snort.  

“Yeah,” Denki piles on with a knowing grin. “Didn’t she reject you back in third year?”

“Hey, that was five years ago!” Sero says with a pout, leaning into his blonde friend’s shoulder dramatically. “I’m a Pro Hero now, how could she say no to me?”

He gets three responses instantly. 

“She’s got standards.”

“She’s an idol.”

“She’s practically taken already.”

“Alright, I get it,” Sero scowls, particularly at the last statement. “Some friends you are.”

“Sorry bud, but you aren’t the only one pining,” Jiro laughs, pushing the two men out of the door. “Get in line.”

“Yeah!” The pink-haired girl scoffed. “Behind me, the rest of Japan and half the world, tape boy!” She flicked the lights off, sliding the extra key into the door and locking it. “Not that it matters,” she sighs with a lingering smile to the apartment door. “If the idiot keeps his head out of his ass this time, she’ll be spoken for soon anyways.”

Kirishima is fairly certain his heart is about to fall out of his ass.

He’s wheezing from chasing a bank robber (who even robs a bank nowadays?) in a dead sprint across Shibuya for the past thirty minutes. 

There’s no way this guy doesn't have a speed enhancing quirk, he thinks, muscles burning with exertion. 

His pride would be hurt otherwise. 

He’s late, much later than he wanted to be. He was supposed to be back at the agency ten minutes prior to when this bozo sprinted out of the bank past him and from the way his pocket has been vibrating every 30 seconds since then, Bakugou’s not pleased his meticulously detailed plan is being thrown off schedule. Again. 

Kirishima’s been buzzing all day, anxiety kicked into overdrive when they both had to cover patrols last minute for sidekicks (a disadvantage of running a hero agency, not that he’s complaining). 

As a result, decorating and other tasks for the party they’d been planning for months had been handed off to their friends at the last minute, who the redhead sincerely hopes do a good job, lest his explosive best friend do something crazy, like set someone on fire. 

[brostateexam]

Have not been saying much for a while because everything is hard.

I. My BiL has had c diff three times now and after the third time the oncologist decided to take a damn the torpedoes approach because they were wasting weeks that should have been devoted to chemo because he was too sick and too weak to withstand outpatient treatment. I haven't seen him irl since December but my mom says he looks rough and if his immune system is so messed up that he keeps getting c diff idk that I really want to visit him. What if I get him sick?

All of this is background to me, though, because mostly I'm invested in my sister. She wants to divorce him. He needs to be better enough that she won't face ostracization for doing so. I am invested in him getting better enough for that to proceed for her sake.

II. Something about my relationship with my mom has been bothering me and I finally figured out what it is: everything is equally important to her. She doesn't prioritize anything. If I am having a tough time and ask for help she'll say "well I'm busy every day this week but I can come over next week in Thursday for ninety minutes" and then when she comes over I ask her what she was up to, both to make conversation and because I'm nosy, and it's like... she volunteered for a clothing drive at the synagogue. She went grocery shopping. She went to a farmer's market. Thanks for fitting me into your schedule, I guess! Glad to know I am on the same level as farm fresh tomatoes.

III. I have been having a really tough time of it for the last few months. The vacation in Mexico was... Not restful. Shane had a seizure on the plane and I spent the first two days managing logistics related to that (and navigating the extra ~$2k I spent covering his medical costs while on the trip). His back is still fucked up almost two months later and so I get to do extra housework and chores because he can't lift or bend without being in pain.

IV. Resultant to III, I had a really awful period of about a month with an online friend who started being super short and terse with me because I've been around online less. It was really clear he felt like I was ditching him to go hang out with my cool friends or something, instead of the reality of the situation: I'm cleaning litter boxes and doing yard work and changing the sheets on the bed aka #livingthedream. I told him about all the stuff that was going on but it was clear he didn't believe me or resented my absence nevertheless. This came to a head with me basically texting him an essay about why he was being a bad friend. In a turn of good news, he listened, and apologized, and we mended fences. That was nice because I just don't know how much more bad news I can take right now.

V. I've been struggling with work but really it's just. My boss. My coworkers like me. My project sponsors like me. My skip level likes me. My exec likes me. It's just him. We don't have a good relationship and I don't know how to fix it. I don't know that it is fixable. This is a problem because this is the guy I need in my corner to advance my career and I don't know that he'll do that for me. The alternative is leaving my company, which sounds attractive on paper but in practice the job market is so so bad and it's just so discouraging. The idea of a new job sounds incredible. I wish I could do that. Maybe even a career change.

VI. Unfortunately, that's not gonna happen because of financial pressures. NGL, as much as I like my house (and I do -- I love its little windows, I love my pink dining nook and green bedroom, I love the mature fruit trees and pretty backyard full of wildflowers), I wish i had the cash in hand, instead. I feel trapped here, and like I'm making the most of it. That's a shit feeling to have.

VII. I've started regaining weight. Not a lot. Fifteen pounds since October. But it's scaring me. It's making me wonder if this whole surgery thing was pointless because I can't seem to stop myself from wanting to eat myself to death. So I'm trying to beat it back without resorting to "diet culture behaviors" (read: disordered eating) and that's tough.

There could be a separate post for things that are going well perhaps, but this is what's going not so well and it feels like a lot. Sometimes it feels like too much.

[greenhappyseed]

I don’t think it’s right to say young Toshi decided to be of service to others, and bury himself beneath “All Might,” simply because he couldn’t find another role in society for his quirkless self. He recognized very early on that “everyone’s got a tough time” and everyone is busy looking out for themselves, which meant the status quo was unlikely to change. Toshi was the weirdo who couldn’t accept that.

From his very beginning, Toshi is built different. He’s tall and blonde and orphaned and quirkless and questions everything about the way the world works. Although he’s polite, nothing about Toshi fits in with Japanese society. He’s just not like the other boys, yet in his Toshi way, he turns that into an advantage. He won’t ever find joy being like others or “fitting in” because he was made to stand out. When Toshi tells Nana, “A quirkless guy like me has no role otherwise,” he’s not rejecting the society that rejected him, and he’s not desperate to fit in. He’s saying he is the perfect person to change the world because he’s not leashed to any societal expectations.

Toshi doesn’t have a “three-meter radius” to protect like other people with homes or families. He’s not destined to do something like take over his father’s business. He’s not too busy looking out for himself. Unlike everyone else, he has the time and youthful exuberance to care about others. He knows nobody is going to draft a quirkless kid into a battle. Yet he was so incensed by the world around him that he “refused to sit on the sidelines” anyway. He’s calling up himself.

Toshinori’s lack of limits startles Nana at first. Not only does he follow her like a lost puppy, his second sentence to her is, “Let me help/assist you.” Let HIM (the quirkless child) help HER (the adult pro hero)?!?!? (Who is this kid???) When she initially turns him away, he says he’s not chasing her for help avenging his family. He really wants to break the cycle of loss and grief for others. Then Nana challenges Toshi’s true motivations, asking, “so what would you do to change the world?” and to her surprise he sets out a coherent plan for creating a Symbol of Peace. (What child walks around with an audacious yet plausible vision for changing the entire freaking world???) Nana challenges Toshi one last time, sarcastically asking if he’d put on a big show of force or grand display of power, knowing he’s quirkless. And the madlad STILL answers yes, continuing to insist he’s the perfect candidate to put on such a show.

All Might always emphasized the joy of volunteer work and helping others without being asked, even when others didn’t quite catch his main message. He specifically researched and chose a physical task with a public benefit and no public recognition for Izuku’s 10 months of training. He could have bought a secret gym space! But no, he had to instill the value of benefitting the public.

Even as All Might talks about his past, his powerlessness, and his regrets, he never wavers from his original idea. He believes in the idea of a symbol. He believes that society needs a guiding light. The part he knows he got wrong was brushing off the kindness of others. Just because he is different; just because he started on this path alone; just because his isolation made him the right person to start on that path; doesn’t mean he had to stay that way.

[the-froschamethyst4]

Feliz Navidad

𖤐 Pairing: Husband! Alejandro x Wife! Reader

𖤐 Pronouns: She/Her

𖤐 Warnings: fluff, strong language, married couple, children, family arguing, Christmas Party, kissing, drinking, italics=Spanish, some badly translated Spanish, protective Alejandro, disrespectfulness,

𖤐 Summary: Alejandro and his wife and kids are going to his family's annual Christmas Party, it is always so huge, and everyone is having a good time. Kids doing their gift exchange and the adults get to play White Elephant which is always a blast.

—————

——————

10:00AM

Alejandro was getting his kids ready as Y/n his wife was getting the last bit of tamales ready. She cooked probably THOUSANDS of tamales for the big family.

She had volunteered to make the tamales for the family, but never again, she has spend 4 days making tamales, the first few days she was in the dark on making them and had to spend the last two days rushing.

Alejandro came downstairs holding their youngest in his arms as his two oldest ran to their mami.

"MAMI!" They yelled.

"Santiago, Maria," she smiles, bending down and kissing her two oldest kids. "You two look so cute in your sweaters."

"Papi, dressed us," Maria says.

"And you look so cute, both of you," she stood up and looked at her husband and youngest. She walked to him taking the baby from his arms. "You look so goofy," she says, looking at Alejandro.

"What do you mean? I like my sweater."

"Boats and Hoes?"

"What's a hoe?" Maria asked, looking at her parents.

"Ho, ho, ho, duh Maria, Santa."

"Yes," Alejandro agreed, knowing that's not what it means.

"Go put on a different one, your mother will also throw a fit."

"She's use to it," Alejandro says. Walking away to go change. She looked down at her baby and kissed her puffy cheek. "Come on, babies let's get to packing the car."

-------

12:30PM

Arriving at Alejandro's parents house, the kids ran inside to their cousins, Alejandro carried the baby and some presents as Y/n carried the tamales.

"MAMA!" Alejandro yells.

"ALEJANDRO, Y/N! It's lovely to see you," she says, helping Y/n with the food. She even pulled Y/n to meet some of Alejandro's cousins she's never met before.

Alejandro went to go find his kids and give them the presents to put under the tree and then afterwards to go find all the men which they were all downstairs.

He was given a glass of hard whiskey as they played pool, poker or watched the football game going on.

When Alejandro first introduced Y/n to his family, they were strict on speaking ONLY Spanish at the house, but now meeting Y/n, they all learned English just for her when she came over and Y/n had picked up a little Spanish to impress Alejandro's mom, his dad already loved Y/n.

Y/n had a glass of wine and laughed and gossiped with the Vargas ladies.

"I heard Mario is bring a new girl."

"Ugh! What is this number 50 or something?"

"She won't last 4 weeks."

"Whatever that's forever, I say 2 weeks," the ladies were all making bets on the eldest cousin of Alejandro's family, Mario, he's probably had more girlfriends then they could count and they all barely make it to week 3.

"Y/n, you've met some of his girlfriends, what do you say?" They all looked at her as Y/n hesitated if she should even give her own opinion.

"Oh, umm~ I'm not sure..." she was thinking. "Maybe 2 weeks?"

"See, even she agrees."

"Mami, can we go outside?" Maria and Santiago ran up to their mom, as their older cousins were getting up and ready to go out, they just waited by the front door for them two.

"Yes, but be careful."

"Eh! Sebastián watch over your younger cousins!!" Sebastián's mother, Carmen yelled.

"I KNOW MA!" He yells from the front door as all the cousins ran out the front door once Maria and Santiago got their shoes on.

"Mmm~"

"Oh, mama Y/n, your baby's waking up," Alejandro's mother held the baby in her arms and when the baby woke up she passed her to Y/n.

She placed her wine down on the table in front of her and took her baby.

"She's probably hungry, excuse me for a minute."

"Take your time," Alejandro's mom said as Y/n went to an empty bedroom and just cracked the door behind her. She sits on the bed and lifts her shirt.

---------

Alejandro was standing by the pool table talking with his uncle Luis, he worked for an airline and liked to travel, he just came back from Japan and was able to walk around Japan for a while.

"Alejandro." Alejandro's cousin Dante interrupted.

"Yeah?"

"Mario's here with his new girl," Alejandro rolled his eyes and excused himself to go upstairs, some of the other guys followed to go meet girl number 50.

As they got up there, Alejandro immediately looked around for Y/n but didn't see her.

"Ma-?"

"She's upstairs feeding the baby," he nodded and went upstairs to go find Y/n. He could see a door just cracked and light coming from inside the room.

He smiles knowing she's in there. He gently knocks scaring her a little as she was too focused on the baby, she looks up seeing the door slightly open.

"Hey, mi amor."

"Oh Alejandro, you scared me."

"Sorry." He chuckles. Coming to sit next to her.

"She was just hungry."

"Where the kids?"

"Outside, I heard Mario's here."

"Yeah, I haven't seen him, yet, I wanted to come find you first." He says, leaning forward and kissing her neck.

"She woke up from her nap," she yawned but smiled when he kissed her neck.

Alejandro's hand went to the back of the baby's head and just watched her take in Y/n's milk. He's done this before when Maria and Santiago were babies, he likes the feeling of his big hand taking in their small heads.

Alejandro and Y/n looked up when they could hear downstairs get a little loud.

"They're probably arguing," Alejandro says.

"What's a Classic Vargas Christmas party without an argument," Y/n says as Alejandro chuckled and shook his head, knowing she was right.

"Yeah, I'll be downstairs, I'll let you finish up," he kissed her lips and left the bedroom, cracking the door behind him and heading downstairs.

Low-in-behold, Y/n was right, Alejandro's mom and Mario's mother yelling at Mario for bringing home a girl they disapprove of.

"IT'S NO DIFFERENT THEN HIM BRING HER INTO THE HOUSE!!" He was talking about Alejandro and Y/n.

"Y/N IS DIFFERENT-"

"NO, SHE'S NOT!"

"WATCH IT, MARIO! WATCH WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT MY WIFE!!" Alejandro jumps in.

"I think it's best if you leave, Mario."

"No way, I wanna stay, I wanna stay and do the classic family things, I'm not leaving, where's the fucking booze," Mario stormed off downstairs as his clueless girlfriend was left at the front door facing both moms and Alejandro.

"Where should I put the burritos?"

"Eh dios mio (oh my god)." Mario's mother says as she walked away.

---------

Alejandro went back downstairs and saw Mario starting to pick fights with their uncles and other cousins.

"Mario, why don't you settle down?"

"Yeah, with a nice young woman or something."

"You've been at this for too long, it's sad really."

"Yeah, Alejandro's done it, he has a beautiful wife and 3 kids with her, settle down Mario, you don't to be hoeing around."

"It's fun, and I can sleep with whoever I want to, Uncle Daniel," Mario says as he chugs some more liquor.

Speaking of, Y/n was walking downstairs with Dante, holding the railing and her baby girl in her arms.

"Alejandro-"

"Ohhh~ speaking of which," some of the men cooed at Y/n as she just blushed and Alejandro waved them off and flipped some off as he blocked Y/n from their view.

"Yes, mi amor?"

"Mi amor~," the men mocked Alejandro. He just smirks and shook his head of embarrassment.

"Come on, let's go upstairs," Alejandro rushed back upstairs.

"Your mom just asked if I could get you for her."

"Oh okay, come on."

As they came around the corner kids started to run at them almost knocking Alejandro over as they crowded Y/n with the baby in her arms, they all asked to see the baby since they didn't get to before. She took them to the couches to sit and get a better look at the baby.

Alejandro's mom wanted him to start making plates for the guys downstairs. Placing tamales on a big tray and sending him down there with the big tray.

"You couldn't get dad to do this?" Alejandro groaned.

"He's old and you're young and strong," she says.

"What about Dante? He's fucking 9 years younger than me!"

"You know I hate that language, Alejandro, go give them their food."

"This is ridiculous," he rolls his eyes.

"Could I help?" Mario's girlfriend asked.

"Eh? No, no, we got it from here," Alejandro's mother said, walking away.

----------

"Y/n, how old is she?"

"3 months."

"How come we couldn't see her last time?"

"I'm not sure."

"Can I hold her?"

"Yes, be very careful with her."

"My mami says babies don't drink formula or water, so what does she drink?"

"Umm~ You know what, you should ask your mami," Y/n says with a smile.

"Y/n, would you like to eat?" Alejandro's mother asked form the kitchen.

"Oh, yes. Just a minute please."

"Sure."

"Can I have her back?"

"Yes," they gave the baby back to Y/n and she stood up from the crowd of children and walked to the kitchen getting a plate of her tamales and the other family members food.

"Y/n, these tamales....are the BEST!"

"Really? I hope so, I spent so long on them."

"I sent you the recipe didn't I?" Alejandro's mother says.

"You did and I followed it, but either I messed up on the filling or I accidently overcooked them or undercooked them, but then I had Alejandro help me a little bit and got them just right." Y/n explained.

"My mami, knows how to cook," Maria says, coming into the kitchen to get her plate.

"Yes, yes she does."

"Could I do the tamale next year?" Mario's girlfriend.

"Who's going to tell her, she's not even going to make it week 2 with Mario?" One of Alejandro's cousins whispered to the family and just gave her an awkward smile.

-------

"Alright kids, lets do the gift exchange!" Alejandro's mother yelled from the living room and within minutes the kids came piling in.

"Okay, get in a circle, grab your presents you came in with and when the music plays you pass it around we do it two times and then when the music stops, whatever present you have is what you get!"

It's a fun little game the kids played, Alejandro's family started it at a random time when Alejandro was only 4 years-old and now is more of a tradition with the kids.

Mario scoffs when the last time Mario did it before he was deemed too old, his last gift was from Alejandro. Alejandro had spent his chores money on an expensive gift and when it came to the gift exchange, Mario got it and through a fit about it, being fucking ungrateful. Which hurt Alejandro's feelings that maybe he shouldn't have spent his money on a nice gift for one of his cousins.

Alejandro and Y/n stood by the fireplace watching the kids exchange the gifts. Y/n held the baby in her arms as she was WAY too young to play.

Everyone smiled when the kids showed so much excitement on what they got, no one was ungrateful and they all loved the toys they received.

"Mami, look I got a Barbie!" Maria says, running towards her parents showing off her new toys as Santiago was opening up his new RC toy car ready to race it around the house with his cousins who also got some RC cars.

"Go on kids, go play with your new toys," Alejandro's parents shoo the kids away so the adults could do the white elephant.

Alejandro had brought some expensive whiskey as Y/n bought an old top to a whiskey barrel with a 'V' on it and colored with the Mexican Flag colors behind it, it looked beautiful.

"Okay, who got 1?"

"I did," Y/n held hers up to prove it. Either they groaned or all cheered for her. She stood up from the couch passing the baby to Alejandro and picked out her gift.

The wrapping was done nice and neatly and to opened up and saw some old whiskey, she thought she might have grabbed Alejandro's gift but his dad quickly spoke up saying it was his gift, his mom playfully smacking his chest.

"YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSE TO TELL!" She yells at him as they all laughed.

"Wow, that's so expensive."

"Yeah, I spent half my paycheck on it."

"Papi, you shouldn't have done that," Alejandro told his dad.

"I wanted to, it's a special occasion for my family." He cheered as the family smiled at him.

"Who has 2?"

"Me," Mario showed his number and stood up snatching a gift from under the tree. He unwraps the gift and Y/n knows it's her gift.

"What the fuck is this?" Mario asked raising it up. Everyone in the room loved the old barrel lid and seeing their nations flag colors.

"That's beautiful."

"This is ugly and tacky as hell. Whoever has 3 come steal this, I don't want it." Y/n felt hurt when he said all of that, she looked down at the bottle of whiskey in her hands and felt tears wanting to fall from her eyes.

She felt Alejandro's hand on her knee making her look up at him, his jaw was clenched and she could barely see anger in his eyes, he was trying to stay calm for his family.

"You don't want honor where you came from?" Mario's mother says.

"Nope, hey Alejandro, you're an ass kisser right? Come take this."

Alejandro gave the baby back to Y/n. He stood up and walked to Mario as calmly as possible but he snatches Mario's collared shirt and bring him off the couch.

"ALEJANDRO!" His parents, Uncles, cousins and Y/n all rushed to him, so he doesn't hurt Mario even though everyone deeply wishes he would.

"If you came here to be a dick and an asshole, then you shouldn't have come," he drops him back on the couch and snatches the barrel lid from Mario.

"I was number 3," Alejandro says, sitting on the couch placing the lid next to his legs and leaning back against the couch cushions and crossing his arms over his chest being angry with Mario and he felt his blood boiling.

"Mario....the rules state-"

"I'm fucking leaving, come on Bella," Mario says, grabbing his coat and keys and his girlfriend followed.

All Alejandro did when he left was give him the biggest death stare and looked away to his family.

"Since number 2 is gone, I guess Alejandro you're number 2 now."

"Good," he sounded gruff.

-------

5:00PM

The adults just got done with white elephant and the kids were still playing with their toys. Alejandro looked at what he got from the white elephant it was a present from his aunt.

It was a whiskey glass set, they were expensive and very nice looking and he knows he'll have some good use out of them. He sat on the couch and felt his right side dip down.

"Alejandro?"

"Was I too harsh on him?"

"Alejandro, you did what you had to." Y/n says.

"I know...but I'm so fucking tired of him coming to these family advent and acts like a spoiled brat and ungrateful bastard."

"I understand, Alejandro...should we...go home?"

"No, no, I want to enjoy the party some more...I'm not going to let this one thing make the rest of the party miserable."

"Okay, come on, your mom has brought out some desserts."

"Alright," he kisses her lips and stood up walking back to the kitchen.

"Y/n this will look nice over the fireplace," Alejandro's mother says.

"Yes, it will, I hope I did good."

"You did, it's beautiful," Y/n was pulled into a hug by her.

Alejandro smiled at his mom and wife and then went to the counter to get come cake.

-------

9:55PM

"Mami, I'm tired."

"Yeah, can we go home?"

"Yes, my loves, we have to say bye to everyone."

"Okay."

Santiago and Maria gave their cousins some tired goodbyes and gave hugs and kisses to their Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents.

Poor Maria was so tired she even walked up to Alejandro and told him goodbye not realizing it was her daddy.

"Alright, come on, Princesa (Princess), let's get you to the car, so you can go to bed." He said as he picked her up.

"BYE EVERYONE!!"

"BYE!"

"DRIVE SAFE!"

Alejandro was driving home as his family were all asleep in the car. He tried his best to avoid all of the potholes and bumps, so they can all sleep soundly.

[midnight-mismanagement]

I’ve been thinking about That Church SceneTM and idk I think what hit me hardest was how Spike is talking about his former pre-soul mindset and how naive it is. He says “and she shall look on him with forgiveness and love and everyone will forgive and love and he will be loved” because while pre-soul he knew he was a monster and he knew he had done horrible things, he was okay with those things, he was a vampire after all, but he felt horrible for what he did to Buffy, but even then he still had a bit of hope. From the outside looking in, Angel’s soul seemed like the “button” for the “be good” switch. It would be the “piece that would make [him] fit” so he would be the “kind of man who would never [hurt her].” The “be a man not a monster” switch, that would make him be able to tell right from wrong and never hurt the people he loves anymore. But...the soul is not a “be good” switch. I don’t really know what the soul exactly is, since it’s never really concrete in the lore, but it doesn’t just make him fit, it doesn’t turn him into what he wants, but what it does do, is make him much more aware of himself and what he’s done, and he comes to the realization that no, there is no forgiveness. There never will be, he will never be worthy of it. He is condemned. He says “it’s okay now, right?” with hopeful despondency because he knows it will never be okay. Spike has always wanted acceptance, and love, and he sought it from places he would never get it, and now he knows he will never get it because he shouldn’t.

So when he goes up in flames by the end in heroic sacrifice and all that jazz, he’s happy he even got to have an ending like this, he’s finally doing something right. And when he comes back in Angel, as a ghost with no ability to affect the world around him (except annoy the crap out of Angel) he feels he is on borrowed time. In the moment of burning up, he didn’t have to think about if he would end up in hell or the aftermath, but with Pavayne toying with him, tugging him in to hell, it’s a slow torture of what he’s known all along, even if he didn’t fully want to face it. He is still condemned. And yet, given what he believes to be the one opportunity to stave off the inevitable for however longer and get a body, he still chooses Fred’s life over his own. And Fred tells him “you’re someone worth saving.” She doesn’t condemn him. She believes in him, like Buffy did, and this time it’s someone he doesn’t have a rocky past with or romantic feelings with, she just sees him for him and wants to help. And in the end he gets a body while she loses hers, and it’s because Angel and Spike did the “right” thing because it’s what Fred would’ve wanted. I think soulless him would’ve saved Fred, even if it meant condemning so many others. 

And on the day he thinks will once again be his last before the big suicide mission showdown (which he was the first to volunteer for), he doesn’t call Buffy to give her the pain of finding he’s alive only to die again, instead he goes to a bar and reads his poetry, the window into his shameful, soft soul that was stamped on and laughed at the last time he was a human, and hopes for acceptance. And he gets it.

[deliciousangelfestival]

Switched Sides - End || Lloyd Hansen

Character: Lloyd Hansen x former Hitman!FemaleReader

Summary: Y/N L/N quit her job as a hitman to take care of her nephew after her stepbrother died. It’s been a year since she became a good aunt to her nephews, and she wants to keep it that way. But her quiet life got disturbed when her former boss asked for her help.

Warning: Nothing.

A/N: Reblog and any feedback are much appreciated.

Chapter 1 , Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Last Chapter.

Main Masterlist || Buy me Ko-fi please 🥹

In the warm sunlight with the birds chirping in the peaceful morning. Inside the bedroom, there are two people on the bed. They were still sleeping since they were exhausted from last night's activity. 

Lloyd woke up first while you were still lying beside him. It’s rare. If this happened a year ago, you wouldn’t still be here. You would leave in a second after you use his body. It never crossed your mind about relationships since you prefer to be alone. 

That’s why he still didn’t believe you could be a parent.

You're the most daredevil person he has ever known. You're not afraid of death.

If there's a reaper in front of you, you probably asked the angel of death, "What took you so long?"

That's why you're the deadliest hitman at the agency. The code name Antarctica fits you. When you were on a mission, your expression never changed. You are cold and deadly. You're not afraid of anything since you have nothing to lose. When you left, everyone felt the differences. Even the head of the agency was regretful for letting you go. 

This is the reason why he approached you. The agency wants you to come back. 

Lloyd thought it would be easy, but when he saw you, Mark, and Kendall together, he realized it would be difficult. 

He sighed heavily, his hand gently stroking your back, and then he kissed your forehead. "Do you like your nephew that much?"

After he said those words, you suddenly open your eyelid and look at him. Lloyd swore he almost got a heart attack. 

“Yes, I do.”

You would go crazy if something ever happened to them. 

Because you realize your nephew is the reflection of your brother. Every little thing that Mark and Kendall do it's the same as your brother. The way they sleep, eat and get angry. 

You didn't realize you missed your brother that much until the last time you saw him lifeless inside the casket. The little brother who always followed you around never complained when you could only give him a boiled pumpkin for lunch and dinner. 

Back then, both of you were poor, and you worked on child labor at the farm. The farm owner always gave you any vegetable before it turned rotten. The only veggies that could fulfill your hunger were pumpkin. And the habits stayed. One time on the mission, you and Lloyd were hiding in the safe house. The location was the city's outskirts, and it was near the farm. Living near the farm brings you back. You didn’t realize you ate a lot of pumpkins until Lloyd pointed that out. 

You and your brother didn't have a good childhood. Since you can't return the time, you want to give Mark and Kendall the best childhood. 

"I've been living my life like a walking corpse. It doesn't matter to me if today or tomorrow will be my last day."

Being a hitman, you need to kill your feelings and emotions. 

But you regained both when you saw Mark and Kendall at your brother's funeral. The way Mark protects his baby brother is the same as when you were kids. Suddenly, you remembered when you and your brother could only be silent when the parents were fighting and arguing. 

You don't want that memory to happen again. 

That's why you volunteered to be the guardian for Mark and Kendall. You want to provide them with the best childhood. 

"I do love them. They're the reason why I want to wake up and live every day."

When Lloyd heard that, it confirmed his guess. You’re not coming back. He wants to say he doesn’t like it, but you’ve made your choice.

He lifted the blanket and then stood up from the bed. "Let's go. Bruno had left me hundreds of messages."

You were taken aback seeing him being disappointed. It seems like you made a mistake. But you don't know why. 

Both of you walk together to your apartment. When you arrived at the building, Lloyd whispered to your ears, "The stalker has been following us. I'll get him."

You didn't feel threatened. "Don't do anything. Meet me at the park once you get him."

Lloyd nodded and left. 

The moment you arrived at your apartment, Bruno opened the door. Heartbreak crossed his arms. "You're late."

You shrugged your shoulders. "We got a surprise attack last night."

"Bullshit. You spend the night with him." 

You scoffed and headed into the room. You saw your nephew drawing on the kid's table. 

"I hope they're not trouble you."

"They're good kids."

Mark and Kendall were used to babysitting. Their father works as a detective and always goes home late at night. 

"Where's Lloyd? I thought you came here together."

You got closer to Bruno and whispered, "He noticed I have a stalker, so he went to catch him."

"Oh. We noticed that." 

You raised your eyebrows. "We?"

Bruno clicked his tongue. The secret finally got out. He went to the coffee machine to make coffee. "Well the reason why we came here is to bring you back to the agency."

He poured the coffee into the glass. "I'm not supposed to say this, but he missed you."

"Lloyd?"

"Well, both of you are the best duo and could finish a difficult mission in a short time without being stabbed or getting shots. Since you left, he chose to work alone."

'Ring.'

A phone call from Lloyd: "I've found him. It's just a kid."

"A kid?" You thought you heard wrong. You immediately ran to the park.

When you arrived, you saw Lloyd sitting on the bench while the other person kneeled. 

Lloyd noticed you. "I think you should talk to him."

You looked at the kid who was wearing an oversized hoodie. No wonder why you don't feel threatened. He's just a teenager. 

You got closer and leaned down "Why did you follow me?"

The teenager lifted his face to look at you. "I want to apologize to you and the kids."

"Me? Why?"

"It's because of me the detective got exposed with the drugs and he lost his life. I'm so sorry." He bowed his head to the ground. 

You have learned about your brother's death. He was investigating the drug case, and he met the drug addict. When he went to one location, he was exposed to fentanyl and inhaled it. He got overdosed, and the help arrived late. 

The teenage sobbing, "I got sent to rehabilitation, and when I got out, I wanted to apologize, but I'm too scared to face you. It's because of me the kids lost their father. 

When you hear his explanation, you want to punch him. But you can't do it. Your brother would be disappointed. The reason why he joined law enforcement is to help people. 

You squared down at the same level as him. "Stop feeling guilty. At least you apologize and admit your mistakes. You have stopped doing drugs, too. My brother would be proud of your effort."

After you said those words, you could see the teenage face brighten up a bit. Seems like your words ease his burden. He is still young and has much time to fix his life. 

You share an encouragement to the teenager before you and Lloyd go back to the apartment. 

While walking together, he grabbed your hand. "That was disappointing. I was expecting you to gage his eyes out and pull his finger nails."

You giggled. "If I were still a hitman, I would do it. But now, I must be a good role model for my nephew."

Lloyd hummed and kept walking. 

You notice him sulking; he could be childish sometimes. "I'm sorry, Lloyd. I'm going to stay."

Lloy stopped his foot."I understand."

You were silent until you said, "But I will be here for you, and they like you."

Lloyd stopped again. But this time, he looks at you with a smile. "Don't use them to get me."

"Mister Hansen!"

Lloyd heard the familiar voice. He looked up front and saw Mark running towards you while Bruno carried Kendall. 

With his little leg, Mark runs faster than he holds Lloyd's legs. 

Lloyd looked at you and sighed. "I'll come and visit when I have the time."

5 years later. 

"Left, right, left, right."

"More passion, more energy."

Three males are running together. They're jogging at the same pace. 

Lloyd in the middle, Mark on his right, and Kendall on his left. This jogging is for Kendall. He's joining the marathon for this year. 

His cancer treatment went well, and his body accepted all the medicine. He became cancer-free when he was five years old. 

"Always keep your pace, and be confident at the race Kendall."

Kendall looked up and nodded. "Okay, Dad."

Lloyd hummed happily when he heard that. It never occurred to him would be called by that name.

It happened after he put the ring on your finger. After three years, he decided to retire from being a hitman and join you. 

The four of you became a complete family. It's quick for Kendall to call Lloyd as dad, but Mark doesn't. He still calls him uncle or mister. But if he mentioned Lloyd with his friends or teacher, he would "I will ask my dad first."

After the training, three of them go home. When they opened the door, a delicious aroma filled their nose. 

They saw a variety of food plates on the dining table. 

Lloyd is always greeted with this warm picture after he marries you. 

You were putting a spoon of sugar into the pot when you saw them, "You guys got back early."

Mark unties his shoelace. "The sky darkened, and it's going to start raining. Mister Hansen doesn't want mud on his shoes."

Lloyd shook his head; he ruffled Mark's hair. "You and your brother go take a shower before eating."

"Okay." Both of them answered together and ran to their room.

After the kids were gone, Lloyd joined you and wrapped his arms around your waist. You felt his mischievous gaze before he kissed you. 

You never thought you could have this life before you didn't want anything. This was before you met your brother again, and Lloyd suddenly appeared by helicopter. 

The moment they appear, your dull life turns to bright. You weren't prepared, but with them, you could do anything. The world is yours, and you're not alone in it. It's a gift, a blessing, the best gift of all. And it's yours to keep.

-The End-

Thank you so much for reading and following the series. I know the ending seems rushed, it's because I have no more idea how to continue the story.

Chapter 1 , Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Last Chapter.

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Taglist:

@sabrinaselina55, @magnificentsaladllama , @cherrybubblebullet @inlovewiththefictionalcharacters , @bagoffeelings @darkofimagination, @starsofcloud, @thatzolagirl, @distancedss, @mswgtsd @chibijusstuff

[gabessquishytum]

I saw the School teacher Hob/Mob boss Dream ask and immediately thought make it angstier.

What if Hob did try to contact Dream? Hob's a charming guy, never tried to rat someone out and has even been known to share a drink after a good throwdown. He tried official channels first. They didn't work. Fine. He wasn't expecting much, not with Dream being so important now. It hurt though, that he wasn't worth even a middle manager.

He tried unofficial channels next, tapping any people he knew that might be willing to pass on a message. The hurt grew more when all he got was silence. Was Dream ignoring him? Was something going down somewhere to keep Dream from answering? Hob waited.

Months later and nothing, no word or sign nor scrap of rumor. Hob's heart felt like it was going to break in two. There was one last option he could take. It wasn't something he wanted to do, but he knew a few sketchy dungeons Cori liked to visit. He knew he fit Cori's type. He could barter his body for a delivered message.

A few weeks more of silence and Hob decided it was worth the pain. Cori's sadism surpassed Hob's mild masochistic streak, but he knew that would work in his favour. He wouldn't enjoy himself but he knew Cori always kept his word.

Cori had always been envious of how close Dream and Hob were. The chance to fuck and hurt Hob wasn't something he was going to pass up, not when Hob was volunteering. To bad Dream was never going to get that heartfelt message, not now that Cori was Dream's most trusted lieutenant.

Hob waited. And waited. And waited.

Dream never came.

Dream had promised!

They had promised. I'll always have your back.

Hob's heart shattered. He didn't need Dream. He could survive without his heart.

Eventually, he fell in with Johanna. She helped him piece together enough of himself to do more than survive. He never should have followed her into that party. Now he was finally face to face with Dream and he could feel the still scattered pieces of his heart being ground into dust.

Dozens of messages and Dream finally deigned to show due to a stupid lie? Well, if he was fucked not matter what, he had some questions he wanted answered.

Hob laughed, hysterically. "You couldn't be bothered to give me the time of day when I got out of prison and called you for help! Why the fuck am I important now?"

Ooo yes, this is continuation for this particular mob!Dream and teacher!Hob post. I love the way youve spiced it up even more with some angst!!!

Of course Dream says something like "what messages? what calls?" And Hob laughs even harder because Dream is really bothering to lie to him? This is all too much. And perhaps Dream finally admits that he did get some of Hob’s messages initially, but he didn't want to have Hob dragged back into the mob lifestyle. He saw it as a chance for Hob to have a fresh start, and when the messages stopped coming through he assumed that Hob had taken the chance and moved on. Little did he know Hob was still trying to get in touch - particularly via Cori, who needless to say didn't pass any messages along and actively forbid the anyone lower down the chain from mentioning Hob at all. Hence Dream heard absolutely nothing about Hob until this rumour started spreading after the party.

Hob still doesn't believe him. Not until Dream orders Cori to be brought to the parking lot, and brought to his knees. Where he admits that he withheld information from Dream. Repeatedly. And took advantage of Hob’s trust in order to use him sexually.

It's a relief to know that Dream wasn't totally responsible, but Hob still feels betrayed and hurt. And now Dream is talking about rebuilding trust between them... is it even possible? Maybe. It seems like Dream is pretty much willing to do anything to get Hob back....

[littlewestern]

Henryships, please!

This one goes out to @belle-aesthetics who asked for Henry as well!

Henry!! Oh Henry, how troublesome you are to ship sometimes. I feel as though he's in a similar situation to Gordon where there aren't any engines that are an exact perfect fit in a way that I find satisfying.

I prefer ships where the whole is greater than the sum and facets of all characters involved are brought out by the relationship that wouldn't be revealed otherwise. But Henry has so much work to do on himself and his own confidence that it's hard to set him up in a relationship that feels balanced in that way. It's not impossible to make work, but it often feels like shipping him with other engines is an exercise in trying to pair everyone off who doesn't have a partner, which I don't care for... But I do have a few thoughts.

HIRO:

Good ship! Solid canonical foundation, mutual respect and admiration, shared experiences on which to build further growth!

I mentioned in the Gordon post that Hiro likes being supportive and leading by example, and it's easy to imagine him finding a relationship with Henry satisfying for that reason. Henry needs someone who will build him up with reassurances and encourage him to be more self-assured. It's really cute, and I think that they'd both get something out of it.

The thing I think holds this ship back from being really top-tier is that I feel like Hiro might fall into the trap of being too helpful? Because he is so cool and nice, I could see him doing the thing he does in Henry's Hero where he tries to let Henry off the hook and ends up taking on way more work/responsibility because of it. Someone with more investment than me could do something with that, but I just don't see the potential for growth here in either of them. That wouldn't (and shouldn't) be a dealbreaker, but it makes it far less appealing for me personally. Now, a similar ship with a little bit more edge to it, that might be something. Which is why I might suggest...

EMILY:

Oh you know I love me some Green Engine Solidarity. And it doesn't get much more solidary than this!

Rewatching the show this last time around, I was a bit surprised by how many incidental little moments these two have together, it's probably about as many interactions as Henry has with, say, Edward - intrigue!

I like this ship for a few reasons. Emily, like Hiro, enjoys "helping" other engines, but she's usually much less gracious about it, especially in the early seasons (which are the ones where I like her the most). Unlike Hiro though, Emily would not be out here cutting Henry any slack if he started getting skittish about ghosts or rain or whatever else. This is an opportunity for growth on both their parts, as Henry gets encouragement without coddling, and Emily gets practice being a bit more defthanded and gentle with her attempts at building Henry up. This is the kind of relationship I like to see!

A unique thing about Bossy Emily, though, is that she's actually never rude to Henry as far as I can remember. She ticks off quite a few engines in those bad old seasons, but Henry she's always quite sweet to. Henry matches that with a joking kind of camaraderie we don't see much from him, which I love. When Hatt asks another engine to take the mail in Percy's stead, Emily volunteers Edward for the job and Henry immediately picks up the assist by saying how Edward knows how to do everything, swanky eyebrows and all.

After all, the mail is a job for a small engine.

They also have a connection with being safety oriented. Henry cares deeply about protocol, and does not fuck around when someone is out here flouting them for the sake of convenience Gator ahem. In another episode, Emily is assigned the title of Safety Engine, which would have been a great addition to her character arc of feeling like she has no job except for the fact that it's never brought up again afterward. Ray never forgets, though, and if it were up to me I would simply pull that into being a regular and acknowledged aspect of her character. But nobody asked me, of course.

Henry is also among the engines Emily asks to be her best friend in a later episode, which... Y'know, she asks every engine she sees but Henry readily agrees!

Idk, I think they're cute. If I wasn't ride or die for Emily/Caitlin also I think this would be my favorite ship for the both of them. That being said I do have one more dark horse contender that might be. Slightly controversial.

SPENCER:

OKAY WAIT. LISTEN. HEAR ME OUT.

I love this episode, it's so funny to me.

"You need a big, strong, Duke's Engine to protect you? ;)" takes me out every time I watch it, and I have watched it a frankly embarrassing number of times.

Spencer, to me, is the kind of blue-blood type who is aware of his station, aware that his build and breeding make him the envy of every railway, and finds the idea of being brought down into the gutter with these common engines... utterly thrilling. He can't say that's what he wants, but oh god does he want it - and it manifests in him trying to get Henry to hide behind him like a scared teen watching a horror movie with their crush. Hi-larious.

They're not good for each other and I'm not sorry. This is my favorite Henry ship by miles. Go watch The Beast of Sodor if you haven't already, it's so great.

[daddysfangirls-marvel]

Goth Boss (7)

Warning: Angst, mentioned self-harm, mention of scars

summary: Tony stark x daughter goth reader. The avengers find out that Tony has a secret teenage daughter and make tony ask her to visit. But when they meet her the avengers find out why she was kept secret. ( could Bucky and Steve he terrified of how y/n looks since they are from a different time and seeing a goth girl for the first time scares them) (tony has a strained relationship with y/n as she grew up without him and he kept her secret)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

As the day grew closer and closer, Lilly not only found herself cooking in large amounts in fits of stress, it was okay May helped her pack up and donate all the extras for those in need, but was constantly going through her medical kits and reviewing first aid techniques preparing for the worst. Preparing for another year to begin like the last, and the year before that, and before that. She was preparing to do it all over again and to ensure her daughter survived just as she did last time. She even got cleaning supplies in preparation for cleaning up the possible blood.

As Lilly prepared, she watched her daughter dove deeper into her art and volunteering. A dozen new sketches and drawings a day and a new canvas every other day. She didn't dare look at what her daughter's artistic heart created she was scared of what she would find. Her art often showed her heart and true feelings.

She'd stay on her toes and prepare for the worst.

-

Peter saw it, too. How she was avoiding him and all their friends and throwing herself into her art and volunteering, not a minute to spare. Although he was unaware of the full history of the day, he was aware of her distaste for the day and how it agitated her to the point of no mention of it. She grew displeased with those who did mention it, and they gained her ire.

Ned was currently on the receiving end of it. Her glare was enough for him to run tail tucked between his legs and avoid her like the plague. He loved her and her friendship, but... no.

MJ was much more careful keeping quiet and her distance when needed. Leaving (Y/n) to herself as she wished believing she'd come back when she wanted or was better.

-

"You need to slow down," so she began walking slower." That's not what I meant, and You know it. Your schedule is packed to the brim there isn't a second to spare. You're running from one thing to the next. You're running straight into the ground," Peter said, taking her hand to fully stop her. " I'm worried about you. I don't want you to get sick or hurt. I'm not asking you to stop I'm asking you to slow down and take a moment breath"

"I'm..." (y/n) sighed " I can't, I'm sorry I can't "Taking her hand back she continued on without him and without looking back. Not knowing what else to do Peter just went on patrol hoping later on tonight she would be more willing to talk. -

"You're back earlier than I thought you'd be," Peter said as he swung into her room, closing the window behind him.

"The director shared your sympathies and sent me home early." (Y/n) said as she continued to sketch at her desk.

"Will you talk to me, please? I want to help you, but I don't know how, and you aren't letting me," Peter said as he kneeled beside her.

Before (Y/n) could even turn to look at him her bedroom door flew open revealing her mother holding a large medical bag. She looked at Peter, who was kneeling next to her daughter, unmasked, still in her spider suit. She looked further around the room and found nothing.

Peter began to stand and stutter.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she asked, and he shook his head. With one that knowledge and one more look around the room, she nodded and left, closing the door- but stopped. " I know you're Spider-Man, I've known for a while she didn't tell me I found out that time you slept over, you left your suit on the floor out in the open. I won't tell anyone. If you're staying the night, let May and I know."

And not the door is closed.

And Peter collapsed onto her bed grabbing his chest " I...oh god "

"You shouldn't be surprised. She's a smart woman"

"Can we talk, please?"

"We are talking"

"(Y/n), what's going on? Is it your birthday?" she flinched hard, scratching her nearly finished sketch. " It is. I want to help you, but you need to tell me how"

She sighed, balling up her drawing and throwing it away. Running her hands down her face " I don't know. I really don't know"

"I... My birthdays have never been good." she says as she starts to cry " I'm afraid something bad will happen like last year and the year before. I'm trying to distract myself so nothing bad will happen"

"Something bad happened last year?"

"Yes," she whispered as she tugged at her sleeves. In their entire relationship, Peter had not seen (Y/n) without her sleeves at least that is what she believed While he was aware that there were times she was in deep sadness, he wasn't aware of how deep and scaring the sadness was.

"I saw"

"What"

Peter sighed. " The night you slept over after you rejected Tony. I saw your wrist. That's what happened last year, right?"

There was a moment of silence as (Y/n) slowly turned to look at him. Then she burst into tears, sobbing as she realized he knew she was broken. She was in pieces far beyond what he had thought and what she had told him, and... he still loved her. He still stayed.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she sobbed. Crossing the room, he stood her up and brought her to the bed to lie down. And laid with her, holding her for the rest of the night.

-

"I'll make sure they get up early enough to pick up his stuff on the way to school tomorrow" Realizing that Peter was going to spend the night Lilly had called his aunt to let her know and make sure she didn't worry.

"Thank you," May said

"I should be thanking you. You and Peter have been so good to us."

"I... I've just been worried about you guys that's all. Listen, I notice (Y/n) has been struggling and I don't mean to overstep or anything but do you think maybe she should talk to someone"

"Yes," Lilly sighs, " but we can't"

"Why?"

"You know who her father is. If she slips up and says her name, then those people go around talking Next thing you know, I got every news channel in America knocking on my door wanting to see Iron Man's daughter. I considered it before, but with who he is now... it is too big of a risk"

"You don't trust them"

"Sorry, but no, I don't, at least not with my baby. She's all I got"

"What if I helped you find someone? Someone trusts worth?" May could see not only (Y/n) spiraling but Lilly as well. They needed more help beyond what she could provide.

"If you can manage to find someone," she laughs bitterly.

"I do my best. For you and your daughter"

"May"

"Lilly?"

She sniffled " Thank you,"

-

When the day finally arrived, it went on as any other. It wasn't until the sunset that the atmosphere grew tense. Peter and May came over with Pizza for dinner. No one had the mindset to cook. They separated Peter and (Y/n) went to her room while May and Lilly stayed in the living room.

Peter and (Y/n) lay under her window quietly holding each other hands as they watched the city lights reflected on the window, New York didn't have stars.

"What's that?" May asked as Lilly joined her in the living room again, dropping a large black bag on the table. She sat down and sighed.

"Just in case"

She put her phone on the table, the numbers 9 and 1 already dialed, waiting for the last.

They continued to sit in silence.

In an Alley next to the apartment building, right under the living room window, was a parked SUV. His phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Yeah, Hey, where are you?" Pepper asked

"Out"

"Obviously, when are you coming home?"

He sighed, looking up at the window. " I don't know. I...I'll be back tomorrow I got to handle some stuff."

"Tomorrow?! Tony! What are you doing that has-"

"Listen, I got to go. Don't wait up" he hung up putting his phone on silent and tossing it in the passenger seat. He continued to watch the window.

Just in case.

-

The day introduced itself with bright light and blaring horns from the morning rush. The light was particularly rude, shining directly into Peter's eyes. Finding the blanket, he tossed it over his head. Opening his eyes, he found that he had tossed the blanket over (y/n)'s head as well.

(Y/n)

His fingers brushed her cheek thumb grazing her lips. He leans forward having their forehead touched and then their noses.

"(Y/n)" he whispered She began to mumble and move as she woke up but he held her in place pulling her closer to his body. " (Y/n)"

"hmm"

"You're 17"

"What?"

"You're 17"

She slowly opened her to see Peter lying in front of her she gave him a gentle kiss. Then her mind caught up with her and she realized what he said. She bolted upright.

"I'm 17"

Suddenly, her bedroom door was open, and her mother and May stepped in. There was a moment of silence.

"Happy late Birthday. Now get ready for school you have that English test today" Lilly said ignoring her blurry vision.

"Yes, ma'am." (y/n) said as she stood up. " Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"I love you"

"I love you too"

As Lilly closed the door May pulled her into her arms and allowed her to silently cry into her shoulder. Rubbing her back, telling her to let it all out, she needed this.

-

Tony watched as those going about their day walked by the open alley he was looking for one person though. He watched with baited breath as more and more people walked by but not the person he was looking for.

Until he did.

She was smiling and laughing, walking hand in hand with Peter. She was the happiest he had ever seen her he's never seen her happy before . Lilly also Came out with May also smiling. The group separated May and Lilly, crossing the street while Peter and (y/n) continued down the street, all the while still grinning and laughing.

He finally felt relief as he listened to her laughter go down the street.

Starting up the car, he pulled out of the alley and drove in the opposite direction of (y/n). Stopping at the next light he pulled up right next to Lilly and May. May didn't see him but Lilly did but she didn't say anything as they locked eyes she simply gave him a nod and kept walking.

(Y/n) was 17.

[z-and-the-space-child]

Some midnight burger headcannons: -Caspar says his favourite drink is black coffee. It’s really instant hot chocolate.

leif just. Borrows other peoples clothes, to their dismay.

(Gloria: Leif. That’s my skirt.

Leif: Sorry. My normal tradesmens clothes got a little...out of this current timeline, and I needed to patch this light before the diner re-opens.

Gloria: We won't have a diner to re-open if I don't have a clean uniform to wear. Can't you borrow someone elses clothes?

Leif: Caspar's pants don't fit me and Ava's not really my style...also last time i took her blazer without asking she tasered in my sleep

Ava (from her booth): and I will do it again!)

-Ava has strong feelings about string theory.  It would have been invented when she was a teenager. When she was working on her 1st or 2nd PhD it was getting really popular in both scientific and popular culture. She kind of thinks of it with the same awe and grief(well, she doesn't really grieve much) as a young childhood pet or hobby you just couldn't get into despite how cool it sounded. Oh, the potential.

- gloria did debate and outreach in highschool. she originally started volunteering just to fill the mandatory hours, but she loved it so much she kept racking them up without turning them in.

-gloria also, eventually gets caspar a sleeping arrangement that isn't "behind the counter". i'm thinking bunk beds.

(Caspar: Just for the record, gloria, I think this is a waste of space. and time. and whatever other frames of reference we've got out here.

Gloria: I don't care if you use it or not. As your boss, I need to know you have somewhere to sleep. Just give it a try, okay?"

Caspar: ...fine)

-Sometimes, physicists have people help them out with their math. sometimes its mathematicians, sometimes its other scientists. Leif sometimes needs help with his math. Ava, however, never needs help with hers.

Gloria isn't a gamer, but she is strangely good at video games. Put her in front of any game, and she immediately knows what to do and how to win. Her favourite game to win is any legend of zelda because she likes the noises Link makes and also thinks it's nice to see an unassuming little guy become the chosen one, while at the same time lamenting how young and unexperienced he is. (Gloria: I'm just saying! He's just a little guy, he really doesn't deserve all this. That's a lot of pressure to put on a kid. He doesn't even know what to do with the sword half time time. Caspar: So, you're saying he was tossed into some dangerous situation without knowing what was coming, huh? Gloria: Exactly! Caspar: So you're saying we're Link. Gloria: What? Caspar: We're Link from the Legend of Zelda. We didn't choose this, but we're forced to stick with it to work for better things. Hopefully. Gloria: Huh, I guess we are.)

Effie and zebulon own a lot of quilted things. their comforter, their pillows...they have many quilts around their house, strewn on the sofa, etc.

Effie also uses terms of endearment (dear, honey, sweetheart, etc) on the diner staff. very rarely though, when Max Comfort or Max Parent Mode is needed.

Laundry gets done in the dishwasher. You're not supposed to be able to put clothes in the dishwasher, but theirs is modified (either by Leif of by midnight burger magic) to be able to wash clothes. there's a clothesline on the roof where they dry their clothes if there's not too much of a risk or radiation signature.

[cuddlebugzz]

Hey everybody! This is definitely tmi, but since I would've liked a first hand account when I was nervous with doing new agere things - I thought it might help others! Today I'm going to talk about my experience with buying agere items, specifically, a paci, a sippy cup, goodnites, and more! Full experiences under the cut, this is gonna be a long post.

The bullet points ☆ are in the order of the pictures, except the first, I don't have a picture for it. ☆ <- mystery box ☆ <- caterpillar ☆ <- paci ☆ <-onesie ☆ <- coloring books ☆ <- sippy ☆ <- goodnites

☆ The first item that I got was actually an agere mystery box from etsy. I was really nervous about buying it, but really eager to get some agere stuff. I specifically wanted a sippy of bottle and a paci, but didn't have a lot of money, so I bought a small mystery box - I'm pretty sure it was about $15. I didn't want to buy items on their own in fear that it would be really obvious somehow - I still lived with my family.

It came in a cute but discreet envelope, and it had some snacks (fruit snacks and animal crackers, I didn't end up eating them), a crayola bath bomb, some stickers, play dough. Like most mystery boxes, I didn't end up using most of it "^^ However, the last item was the baby paci! I was really excited to have it, I'm pretty sure it was white with a manta ray on it.

It took me a few nights to use it, it lived in a box under my bed until I was ready. When I finally did use it, watching cartoons in bed while everyone else was asleep - whoops! I didn't like it "^^. A lot of the fault lies in it not being a proper adult paci, I think. I didn't fit right in my mouth so it felt weird and uncomfortable. Either way, I was excited to get an agere collection going!

☆ Another item of note I have is a baby toy, a rattle caterpillar from a baby store. Long story short, I was doing a gift drive there, and we bought some toys to put on the table as examples. We sat out there for a long time, so we were bored, and the other volunteers were entertained by the toys, even though they're for babies! I actually had one of these caterpillar toys as a baby, and we couldn't donate it because it wasn't properly packaged- so my dad let me keep it. No one thought it was weird, and the only comments I've ever gotten is about how cute it is. Goes to show that buying "baby stuff" might not be as weird as you think. More on that later.

☆ The next item I purchased was from the amazingly awesome @princeminnow ! I had wanted an adult paci since the other one didn't work, but I don't like the design of deco pacis. I just wanted one that looked like a regular nuk paci - and minnow had just that! The paci I bought from his is the blue one pictured up top, it has a sleepy bear and it glows in the dark! I'm pretty sure his stuff goes for around $14, but it's worth every penny. He's really nice and his stuff is unique and great quality! Same discreet but cute packaging, with a wonderful note :) Go check out his shop!

As for using it, I liked this one more than the other for sure! I like how it glows in the dark, and it actually fits in my mouth this time. Even if I don't really suck on it like some do, I like to chew it, and it's perfect for that. I still don't reach for it too often though, pacis just aren't as soothing for me as I thought they'd be :p Totally a personal experience though - and I'm really glad i tried it!

☆ The next thing I bought was a onesie off of depop. It was second hand from a shop called lil k1nk boutique, which was super not fun, but it had a pattern I loved in my size so I bought it anyway. I was really nervous because there was confusion with shipping, I didn't know if it would show up at my house or my dorm. It ended up at my dorm. I had a roommate who was nice, but probably would not understand agere, so I was nervous about her seeing, but luckily she was gone most of the time so I got to try it on without fear of her being in the room. I couldn't keep it on the whole night cuz I was nervous, bit I was still so excited to have it!

I wore it again at home, and honestly, as with the first paci, not my favorite thing. Like its nice, but I underestimated the autistic opposition to an unfamiliar cut of clothing (long sleeves no pants) and I was still nervous to wear it. I haven't tried it in a few months, maybe I'll give it another spin! I bet it'll be better in the colder months, when I have fluffy pants over it. Even though it didn't work out on the first try, once again, I'm still happy to have it!

☆ Another item I thought I'd mention are my justice league coloring books, because I ordered them to my dorm. I was nervous about my roommates thinking it was weird, but by this time I'd moved into a much more nuerodivergent space lol. My roommate, who is absolutely wonderful, had put together a coloring activity literally the day before, which I declined because I was busy and I don't really like adult coloring books, they're too complicated to relax me. The next day when my justice league stuff arrived (activity book and a water wow) I felt comfortable telling them about it. I explained that I always wanted these kind of coloring books, I think water wows are really cool and justice league is my special interest. Everyone I told about was very supportive, and glad I got something fun! Another example about kiddie stuff not being as weird as one might think - especially in nuerodivergent spaces.

☆ one of the most recent items I've bought was a sippy cup, the first thing I've bought in an actual store. Like a lot of age regressors, I could look at the baby aisle for one million years. But I haven't, because I thought that'd be weird.

Spoiler: it's not weird at all. I have actually been to the baby aisle with my friends before, just to look at all the cute stuff. Also, if you were to see someone in the baby aisle, you would just assume they were... buying stuff for a baby. Doesn't even have to be for a daughter or son, they could babysit. So once I was actually there looking at all the cups, it was not as weird as I thought I would be.

I went to target, and they had a good selection of sippies. I'm glad I bought one I'm person, because I would have waaay underestimated how itty bitty some of these are. Like, so tiny, they're for babies after all. And it helped me pick one, because on the internet I feel like I need the perfect one, because the internet has everything, and I'm disappointed when I don't find it. But in a store, I'm like, "aw I like that :)" and buy it. Which is exactly what I did - and I think it's perfect! It's gender nuetral, it even has stars like I wanted! Good size too, it can hold a regular drink amount. I just went through the self checkout and bought it with my other items, easy peezy.

I got home and tried it that night, with my door closed. I got some ice water in a regular cup and poured it in my sippy in my room. And let me tell you - I looooove it. For one, this thing does not spill. They are not lying this cup must sippy, liquid is not coming out any other way. It's the perfect size like I said, and once you get passed the learning curve of drinking - pro tip, press down with your teeth and a lot more liquid comes out - its wonderfully soothing. The only con, and this is lightly embarrassing, three plastic cover top is hard to open. It's a childproof cap for obvious reasons, and I have tried to uncap it only to unscrew the whole thing way too many time. Other than that, its a dream come true! Highly recommend!

☆ last but certainly not least, my latest purchase, the goodnites. I've wanted nappies (diapers) for a pretty long time. I waffled between nappies, pull-ups, and training pants for forever, but the former and latter had too many factors that put me off. Mostly bulkiness. At least for a first time, I don't want them to be bulky. But I did more research, and discovered that XL goodnites should fit me - I'm 5'2 and 100 pounds - and best of all, they have a space print!! They're perfect!! I ordered them on postmark (a spare package someone didn't want), it came out to around $15 for 9 pull-ups. It was listed as $8 but shipping was a lot xp Whatever, I bought them anyway.

(This is where its gonna get tmi, skip to the conclusion if you don't wanna read it!) I spent a lot of time nervous about my family finding them, as always. One thing that did bring me a little comfort though - I'm actually on my period right now, and I've actually heard of people using adult diapers for it. Like, it's not common, but I live with all boys, they wouldn't know that. Is it farfetched? Yeah, but it makes me feel better. And honestly it made my feel much better putting them on - they are really not that different from pads I use. I hate my period sooo much, pure autism hell, but honestly I think this might help.

A big reason I wanted nappies in any capacity was a, comfy, and b, I honestly do have issues with going to the bathroom sometimes. I think it's an autism thing, I have a lot of anxiety around getting up and going to the bathroom, especially when I'm in bed, and it gets so bad sometimes it makes me stomach hurt. I'm not sure if I'll test how these can help, as I've heard they're not super good for that, but maybe that's where I'll try real adult nappies. You can get samples on abu for under $10 sometimes, maybe I'll try that over the summer.

Conclusion: highly recommend. They're very comfy, so cute, and discreet too. They don't make any noise when I walk and they're not bulky. I love them! Great first nappy!

Anyway, that's all I have for today! Thanks for reading my incredibly long rambling, I hope it could provide a little help for anyone who needs it!